David Maitland, ex army officer, former antique dealer, now turned antique detective is commissioned to find a piece of stolen silver by the immensely wealthy, reclusive Countess of Cauldmuir. In the course of the investigation these two emotionally bruised people gradually fall in love. Maitland slowly discovers the theft of the silver is part of a sinister threat to Lady Cauldmuir's peace of mind and even her life. But when threat turns to reality it is aimed at a completely unexpected target and leaves Maitland desperately racing against time to avert a terrible tragedy