In the summer of 1781, as the war continues, Abigail Adams’s marriage becomes a struggle. Her husband, John, objects to her drawing on his salary from Europe, insisting she must support their family by selling goods he sends. In response, Abigail creates a full-fledged business, turning a bedroom into a storeroom and earning enough to pay taxes, support her household, and even buy her own carriage.

Abigail’s first published work, an anonymous introduction to an essay by her friend Mercy Warren, brings her great pleasure. During a visit, Abigail tells Mercy of her plan to invest in Vermont land, a transaction she cannot legally make as a woman. Mercy then tells Abigail that there is scandalous rumor that James Lovell does not love his wife. Later, after intercepting a letter intended for Mrs. Samuel Adams, Abigail discovers that the French—and Benjamin Franklin—are unhappy with John’s independence as a diplomat and that there is a plot to recall him. She successfully lobbies to save his position. However, John is then appointed minister to the Netherlands. He sends their 14-year-old son, John Quincy, to Russia as a secretary to a diplomat and their 11-year-old son, Charles, back to America alone. Abigail is furious, and her anxiety worsens when Charles’s ship goes missing.