The small village of Blackthorn Cove is nestled on the Suffolk coast. Reverend Matthew Heythorpe and his young wife Jayne, arrive in the summer of 1710. The villagers adore their new vicar, some more than others. Eliza Maddison is a young girl, vivacious and charismatic. She conjures up Matthew's impure desires. His want and lust for the girl spiral out of control. But then an angel descends on Blackthorn Cove, a Matilda Andrews. She is as pure as the driven snow, and Matthew truly loses his mind over Matilda. So he comes up with a wicked plan to be with her.