The indigo girl

In 1739, bright and determined 16-year-old Eliza Lucas is charged with keeping her family's struggling plantations afloat, in her father's absence.

Learning of the high value of indigo, Eliza becomes determined to learn the secret of growing the enigmatic crop, believing it to be her family's salvation, but everyone tells Eliza growing indigo in the region is impossible.

Thwarted at nearly every turn, even by her own family, Eliza finds her only allies in an aging horticulturalist, an older and married gentleman lawyer, and a slave with whom she strikes a dangerous deal: teach her the intricate 1000-year-old secret process of making indigo dye and in return - against the laws of the day - she will teach the slaves to read.

So develops an incredible story of romance, intrigue, hidden friendships, threats, betrayal, and sacrifice, based on historical documents and Eliza Lucas' own letters.