Silk town

the long version

Tacy Barratt, the prettiest girl in Chilverton, has a secret. Despite her strict chapel upbringing by her Master Weaver father, she has fallen in love with Tom. Tom of the flashing black eyes and devil-may-care charm, has kissed her and says he loves her. He is only an ordinary weaver, but surely her father would agree to their marriage? Then Tom marries quiet plain Martha, who is expecting his baby. Tacy retaliates by marrying Francis, recently come to town, and realises too late the pain of marrying a man she does not love. When her father dies, Tacy must decide whether to fight to save all she loves, even if it means invoking the help of powerful and treacherous local magnate Sir William. And what of her unquenchable passion for Tom, whom Francis has forbidden her to see, and who leads the weavers strike? As events move to a climax she must make a terrible sacrifice.