After the car accident which killed her fiance and badly injured her, Claire is travelling by train to stay with her, hitherto unknown, Aunt Mary at Forresters Haven. Hoping to avoid the pity she's encountered since the accident, she's infuriated when, on the train, she meets her distant cousin, Adam Forrester, with his patronising manner. However, her Aunt Mary is kind and understanding, there are new interests to occupy her, and there's Timothy-- though Claire wants no more romance.