Captain Geoffrey Mantell has tried to be the friend Miss Emily Chandry never had, but it is a long time before he realizes she is much more to him than a mere friend. By the time he tries to profess his love he is too late—Emily has married out of desperation, and to a grasping, greedy businessman. Seeing her unhappiness, Geoffrey is determined not to fail her again, and when a mystery emerges that seems to indicate a way out of her impossible situation, he does all he can to assist her. But proximity with Emily is dangerous, and though Geoffrey is determined to take the honorable road, his actions cause trouble, and it is up to Emily's quickness and resilience to find the solution.