In the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Diana McDonald marries Stephen Cutler, the handsome owner of Collingwood, a large estate surrounded by the shadow of slavery. Raised in New York by a Yankee father and a mother who reveres Virginia, Diana is unprepared for the tensions that await. As the new mistress of Collingwood, Diana must manage both the estate and a household filled with enslaved people, including Jewel, a beautiful and resentful woman who harbors a deep hatred for her.

The year is 1859, and Civil War looms. Diana soon discovers that her husband, Stephen, is a man of many dark secrets. As family histories unravel and betrayals come to light, Diana is forced to confront the brutal realities of the South's slave economy. Her growing bond with Tom, a young slave who is Jewel's son, challenges her belief about freedom, family, and loyalty.

Based on a true story, The Mistress of Collingwood explores the complexities of love, power, and the human cost of slavery. As Diana navigates the dangers of her turbulent new life, she must decide how far she is willing to go to protect those she loves-and whether she can survive the violence that threatens to tear them all apart.