An orphan girl grows up and faces a rival in the family who adopted her, then when family secrets are uncovered and the orphan inherits a fortune, she must choose among three suitors and decide the fate of the family who adopted her.

In a time when fortune defined social positions, love was beyond the reach of one orphan, Edith Adelon, who grew up in the early nineteenth century in the wealthy home of the Hamilton's. Her good deeds won her a place in the family's heart, but all this was challenged by a jealous cousin, Lady Ida, who set out to chase away Edith's suitors, Lord Percy, Lord Arlington, and Arthur Hamilton. All was to further change by the appearance of a haggard stranger, who brought with him a secret that would throw the family into chaos, enflame passions, and change all their lives forever.—Alison Flannery