Charlotte finds herself married to a man she has never met. She is married by proxy to Phillip Hilderbrand, who is a man of business and a long-time friend of her new husband. After the service, Charlotte finds herself conveyed to her new husband's run-down estate.
With four months to rectify years of neglect at the estate, Charlotte, the servants, and the estate workers tackle the enormous task. As the estate begins to take shape, Charlotte's hard work and kind heart win over her tenants. The bright light among the busy days is the regular visits of Phillip to the estate. Phillip and Charlotte develop a friendship, and his presence makes Charlotte feel appreciated.
When an unwelcome guest arrives, apparently at the request of her husband, Charlotte begins to question the integrity of the man she married. The stipulated four months come and go, and Charlotte's nerves are in a tangle as she awaits her husband's arrival.
The Earl's arrival throws the household into disarray as he disputes his marriage to Charlotte. He is furious that Charlotte's father has pulled a scam and denied him his chosen bride. Filled with anger, Lord Clayhurst vows to rectify the situation, regardless of the impact an annulment will have on Charlotte's reputation.
An accident, indirectly caused by the Earl, sees Charlotte fighting for her life. Too late, Lord Clayhurst realises that her father did him a favour when he swapped the girls at the wedding.
Has the Earl left it too late to fix the broken marriage? When Charlotte disappears, Clayhurst is distraught. Whatever the outcome, he must find Charlotte to see if she will give him another chance.