Rescued from near poverty by her uncle, who impulsively invites Celia Meade and her family to live at his huge estate, Celia must now contend with the dangerous jealousy of her uncle's daughter, Caroline, who sees Celia as a threat, for Caroline's ambition is to become the Countess of Shelton. Caroline was well aware of the impression Celia made on Lord Robert Merrick, heir to his father, the Earl of Shelton, when Celia attended her aunt's funeral.