1901:-PoorbutintelligentEmilyFoxSetonacceptsamarriageproposalfromtheolderLordJamesWalderhurst,awidowerpushedintoprovidinganheirbyhishaughtyauntMaria,Emily’semployer.Itisanarrangementforthemboth-inJames’casetostopthefamilyhomepassingtoJames’cousinAlecOsbornandhisAnglo-IndianwifeHester.Howeveraffectionsoongrowsbetweenm.yakubd.ccthembutJamesispostedtoIndiawithhisregimentandtheOsbornscometostaywithEmily,tellingherJamessentthemtolookafterher.ButtheyhaveliedandAlec’salarmingmoodswingsbroughtonbyillnessthreatensEmily’spregnancyanddrivesthestaffaway.SoonEmilyrealisesthatthecoupleisuptonogood.