The book begins in Schotland during the mid -nineteenth century. The story revolves around a prominent, land-owining family, the Duncans. Seventeen-year old Margaret Duncan feels that the distance between her parents in increasding; and she feels alienated from her father, whom she had adored unreservedly as a small child. Into an already tense family relationship sweeps Ian, a wealthy6, spoiled distant cousing of James Duncan. But he becomes strangely uncomfortable with his old life style as some good influences in this Scottish community begin to mark his character.