Her husband's death ends the loveless marriage of Maria Cortez. Desperate to find her former lover Esteban, her search takes her to the American Colonies where war with the British looms. Esteban's diary, containing a map giving the location of a huge gold bonanza, comes into Maria's possession, placing both her and her companions in great danger. The lust for gold attracts evil predators who regard life as cheap. James and his Indian family, young lovers Cameron and Anne, and many others, are drawn into a dangerous web of lies, greed and deceit in the hunt for Esteban's gold.