Life for Doreen Wallis had reached its lowest point, child of a father who had been cashiered from his Regiment, and a querulous mother, she had been brought up rootless and insecure in Cairo. Pepi, rich and more than twice her age, had married her. But Pepi had died and the estate had gone to the legal wife Doreen had never known about. For a while it had seemed that Tony, eligible, handsome and amusing, might rescue her. But he had gone away, leaving her to despair. Doreen wanted marriage, with a secure and loving home. But who would have her if he knew her past?

Then, suddenly, there came a bizarre opportunity-to change places with a dead girl. To start a new life. A life that still was not to be easy or secure, but a life that would finally lead to happiness. Dared her to assume a virtuous new role as the drab and priggish cousin she so closely resembled? Would her shrewd and tyrannical grandmother see through the disguise? Could she carry off the deception, if she was tempted by a rich man's charms? Could she ever find true love if she was living a lie? With the courage of despair, Doreen became her hated cousin, and learned the unexpected lessons of love.