Lisa Foreshaw grows up torn between two worlds because of an accident of birth. For while her grandfather was the second son of landed gentry, her grandmother was the lowly, Spanish governess he fell in love with. Now, Lisa and her mother are regarded as poor relations by her mother's cousins, Lady Hazelmere and the right Honourable Sybil Jarvison-Noelle. Both women may feel they are doing what they can for their cousin's child, allowing Lisa to be educated alongside the Jarvison-Noelle's girls, but she is never allowed to forget her place. Despite this Lisa falls in love with her handsome and charming cousin Dominic, the Viscount Lexican and heir to Hazelmere. Dominic is rich, charming and handsome, but has a secret his family is willing to protect at all costs. Blissfully ignorant of Dominic's true feelings, Lisa allows herself to be tempted into marriage by her mother's unscrupulous family who would rather sacrifice both Lisa and Dominic's happiness than see the family's reputation ruined. But Lisa's honeymoon provides a rude awakening, and when she discovers what her own family have done to her, she vows to take revenge.