Hurt and betrayed, fifteen-year-old Bryony Luscombe hears those harsh words and knows instinctively that her love for Paul Blythe, heir to Brashfield Hall, is worthless. Brought up by a local wise woman in the small fishing village of Abbot's Cove, Bryony's history is a whispered secret, but one which is destined to lift her from the poverty and ignorance of her childhood.

Hounded from the village on suspicion of witchcraft, Bryony is forced to seek help from a most unwelcome source. An ambitious entrepreneur, Max Randal senses a lucrative project in view and persuades Bryony that her life and fortunes will be different if she places her trust in him. But Max has other motives and secrets of his own and Bryony cannot afford to compromise her pride, independence -- and possibly her heart -- again.