Mourning the death from consumption of her young sister, Fanny, Lady Jean Conway goes home to the Brecon dower house to be comforted by her former governess, Miss Bluestone. Rescued from a flood by Lord Clanross's Scots steward James Sholto, Jean finds herself being courted by Hugh Fremont, a neighbour and a true Corinthian. Hugh shares her tastes and interests, he is both wealthy and handsome, and he wants to marry her. Before she can say yea or nay, though, Jean has to learn to trust her own heart.