Born a slave, July is taken from her mother to a plantation house and forced to work for the odious Caroline. But as she matures she starts to learn how to handle her new mistress.
Caroline and July compete for Robert’s attention. Robert announces that he’s marrying Caroline, but on the wedding night goes to July’s bed and the two start a passionate affair.
Angry and frustrated by the workers’ refusal to work to his orders, Robert takes violent revenge, hoping to scare them into working, to the shock and horror of July.