When Moira Lindsay awakens on the morning of her twenty-first birthday, she does not know her life is about to take a dark and dangerous turn. For on this day Moira discovers that under the terms of her father's will she must marry a distant cousin, Major Duncan Lindsay, or forfeit her right to the estate. — It is hate at first sight when Moira and Duncan meet. Soon after, Duncan tells her he has proof she is not the real Moira Lindsay but the daughter of her old governess.

Even after several attempts on his life, which Moira suspects are self-induced, Duncan remains firm in his stand. Then Moira herself is assaulted by and unseen attacker and left to die.

What is most frightening, however, is that Moira begins to find her cousin very attractive. Can she be falling in love with a man who is trying to destroy her?