Trapped in an unhappy marriage, Celia has to deal with her husband Sebastian's legacy of a miserable childhood and harsh father. While out riding, Celia meets Mark Riordan. A Captain in the local regiment, Mark is haunted by memories and nightmares of the conflict in Bosnia.
Torn by friendship and mutual attraction to another man Celia has to decide whether to remain with her bullying husband or to find the courage to leave and start a new life.
A meeting with her Nan makes Celia think hard about her marriage but denying her feelings for Mark, she and Sebastian attempt to get on with their lives.
Fate conspires to keep them apart until things reach an unexpected and terrible conclusion. Will Celia ever find true happiness and her destiny? And if so, with whom?