The Bradshaws, who readers first met in Hot Winter Sun, are living a peaceful life in Restoration England, under the gay and clever King Charles II. A season is launched for their unusually beautiful and high-spirited daughter, Julia. However, after an unexpected visit from Philip Lambarth, a bizarre and tragic chain of events is set off, changing Julia's life forever.

Too late, Julia realizes the true nature of the man she thought she loved, and broken-hearted, impetuously enters a marriage of convenience. Julia attempts to live quietly and banish the memory of Philip's treachery, when another man captures her heart in a way she never dreamed possible.

Being unable to convince Julia to end her unsuitable marriage, he eventually leaves Cornwall for London, and Julia is left devastated and hopeless in a trap of her own making. Madness and murder then stalk this unusual heroine, until an astonishing twist of fate restores the happiness she thought was lost forever.