Following the death of her parents, Sophie is sent to live with relatives in London, where she is treated like a servant.

Later, her chance to escape an imposed life of hardship comes in the form of Daniel Clayton – a formidable explorer and photographer. Sophie agrees to his proposal of a loveless marriage, but this union plunges her into the midst of a family feud. She faces unforeseen treachery, a terrible secret in her husband's past and her greatest dilemma yet.