In the heart of Shropshire, young Deborah finds herself irresistibly drawn to a new preacher, leading her to make a bold choice to live with him as if they were husband and wife, despite the absence of marriage. She intuitively grasps that love is akin to discovering a mystical golden arrow—a lesson that still eludes Stephen. Their unconventional relationship, which merges the practicalities of rural life with a breathtaking appreciation of the natural world, mirrors the struggles of her brother Joe and his bride Lily. Lily, restless and yearning for freedom, views her marriage as a means of escaping her overbearing father. - Summary by Anne Erickson