Matilda de Montero suddenly finds herself in charge of her family's rambling farm house and land after her father dies unexpectedly. Harassed by would-be suitors with eyes on her inheritance, she gathers her courage and hatches a daring plan to ask Edward Castle to wed her. Marriage to the distractingly handsome stable groom will entail her land and keep her safe from the circling opportunists. However, if he accepts her offer, Matilda realizes she will have to divulge her darkest secret to him...