Susanna Halbridge fears her father's death, not just because she adores him but because his passing will likely leave her and her mother destitute. Upon Robert Halbridge's passing, Halbridge Manor will be by law entailed to the nearest male relative, a distant cousin named Edmund Kingsley. The entailment can be broken, and Susanna's father agrees to try to get the rich heir to spare his wife and daughter. But when he dies before the meeting can be arranged, it is up to Susanna to plead her case.

Edmund Kingsley is a stern man and does not care for Susanna's outspoken nature. He believes the headstrong young lady is in need of a firm hand, and with the heir holding all the power, Susanna is in little position to fight his attempts to tame her. Or is she?