Recently widowed Maude, Lady Hexham, is appalled to find her late husband's entire estate is to go to his cousin Luke with no provision for either herself or her six-year old daughter Anna. Luke is also the man she almost eloped with eight years before - the man she still loves.Maude doesn't want Luke's charity, but agrees to stay as his paid housekeeper, inviting her friend Eliza to act as her chaperone. Following several strange 'accidents', Anna is kidnapped and Maude turns to Luke for help - with surprising results.