Lillian's season is thrown into chaos when a man intent on securing her dowry starts rumours and compromises her. Lillian has no option but to marry the cad, and once the marriage agreement is signed, Lillian's future is decided. Caught in a web of deceit and lies, Lillian finds herself abandoned at her new husband's estate, a deserted property her husband's wastrel ways ruined many years before. Not one to swoon and weep about her lot, Lillian and her maid Jess fight for survival.

After Jess's marriage to their saviour, Lillian returns to the estate that she has blackmailed her husband into deeding to her. Once the tenant farmers return, Lillian develops feelings for one of the three soldiers who moved to the property. Something about Benjamin Kendric sets Lillian's heart a flutter, but with her newly sobered husband livingat the estate, Ben does the honorable thing and leaves.

Ethan Hanson's return to the city has him reverting to his dissolute ways. After challenging one of his cronies to a carriage race along the cliff tops, he and his drunk friend die when their carriages career over the cliff.

Finally free of her husband, Lillian travels to Ben's home to see if he wants to pursue their relationship, only to discover that Ben is married. Will their time never come? Lillian is certain fate is jeering at her; finding the right man at the wrong time is cruel.