Meet Felicity Merriman, a spirited nine-year-old girl who lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1774, just before the Revolutionary War. She's impatient with "sitting down kinds of things," like stitchery or writing. She'd rather ride horses! That's why Felicity is so excited to hear about a new horse in town. she falls in love with the copper-colored mare and names her Penny. But Penny is owned by a cruel man who beats his animals. When Penny's life is in danger, Felicity knows she must help.