774, Colonel John Hampton, a wealthy plantation owner in Northern Virginia, purchases a strapping sixteen-year-old male slave as a gift to celebrate his daughter's fourteenth birthday. For months, young Matilda Hampton watches Zeke from afar as he labors carrying tobacco bales and helping elderly slaves with their tasks near the main house. Raised to believe that Black people had been cursed by God, Matilda's mind battles her strong feelings for Zeke against the overwhelming cultural norms. Zeke-who hides his intelligence to everyone but Matilda-tempers his feelings for her due to his station in life and the realization of the consequences should he step out of line. When Zeke attempts to escape to join the British and earn his freedom, Matilda attempts to help him find a safe place so he won't be tracked down by the slave hunters. But along the way, she is seriously injured. Knowing her health is in jeopardy, Zeke decides to abandon his escape so that he can return Matilda to her home. Back at the plantation, Zeke does not receive the welcome he might deserve, but instead is wrongly accused of imposing himself upon a white woman.

When Zeke is killed by overzealous torture, Matilda hysterically enters a long period of mourning. Months later, still sullen, she agrees to marry her wealthy cousin with two exceptions-she will never become a proper lady or own slaves.