Clara, a young woman fallen on hard times, has suffered from agoraphobia since the sudden death of her father. Thanks to her amazing cookery she wins a position at the court of Castamar, and her arrival disrupts the lethargic life of Don Diego, the duke. Since he lost his wife in an accident, Don Diego has lived alone in his huge mansion with only his staff for company. Clara will soon discover that the calm that surrounds the estate is the prelude to a devastating storm which will centre on Castamar, her master and Clara herself. Fernando J. Múñez weaves a delicate and detailed prose for the reader, a rich fabric of characters, intrigues, love, envy, secrets and lies that take place in an impeccable recreation of 1720s Spain.