Tobin Scott, Count Eberlin of Denmark, has returned to Hadley Green, the site of his father's hanging fifteen years ago. He has one goal in mind and that is to avenge his father. He is now a wealthy man and intends to exact his revenge by destroying the Ashwood estate and the Countess of Ashwood, who, as a girl, testified against his father. Lily Boudine has become the Countess of Ashwood through a very surprising twist of fate. She is surprised when a vaguely familiar looking man calls and tells her he is Tobin Scott, whom she knew as a boy and that he intends to destroy her or Ashwood. He leaves the choice to her. Lily chooses herself, and banks on the idea that she can hold him at bay long enough to remove Ashwood from his clutches. However as they play the game of seduction, Lily slowly discovers that he is not the cold, heartless man he would like to present to her, she also comes to believe that Tobin is right-his father did not steal the jewels, and if she can find them, she can help restore his family's honour.