OrphanedyoungandcastuponthecharityofherdisapprovingAuntWillis,ElviraCarrisfordhasknownlittleloveandaffectioninherlife.AllthatlookssettochangeforthebetterwhenElviraisinvitedtobecomecompaniontoherlivelycousin,Delphine,whoishopingtomakeamatchworthyofherwealthandstatus.Withonlyhazychildhoodmemoriesofherlastvisit,Elviraisunsureofwhattoexpectbutisdeterminedtomakeagoodimpression.Lostintheblizzard,andrescuedbytheenigmaticSerge,ElviraarrivesatBaseheartCastlelate,disheveledandinneedofloveandcomfortfromherfamily.Butitseemsthatfateintendsthattheirpathsshallcrossagain,andElviraisstunnedwhenherrescuerturnsouttobenoneotherthanthevaletofthehandsomeFrenchPrince,intendedforhercousin.Asacomplicatedweboflove,betrayalanddeceitunfolds,Elviraisplungedintoaworldwherepeopleareneverwhattheyseemandappearancesaredefinitelydeceiving.