In a few minutes everything in Sarah Nunley's life has changed and now she finds herself mistress of the plantation of Seven Oaks. The fact that Malcolm Beckett Ross has been ordered to remain at her side is both a blessing and a curse - a blessing because she can use his help, a curse because she finds her affections for him growing stronger and she is in no state of mind to act on those affections. But a violent storm seals Sarah and Malcolm indoors together and makes it impossible for her to ignore her feelings for the young soldier any longer. Yet with the storm comes not only an opportunity for her to express her love but a great danger she can do nothing to avoid, a danger that threatens both their lives.