When Frances Barbury realises she has neither the talent nor the toughness for her chosen career of the stage, a long break seems a good idea. So she becomes a secretary-companion for an ex-author now living in a remote part of Wales. Frankie takes an immediate liking to both kind Mr. Falkland and his charming and seemingly fragile second wife, Caroline. But why was Rolf barely on speaking terms with his stepmother? Why was he so suspicious of Frankie's motives in coming to the house? There was a strong attraction between Rolf and Frankie, but their differences of opinion in certain matters seemed destined to keep them apart.