1893 Vermont, Amy Merlin watches Peter (her brother) and Emily enjoying themselves at their wedding party in Amy's house. At twenty-two years of age, she hopes for a caring and compassionate man of her own. Nick Hawthorne, a man she had just met, tries to woo her to no immediate avail because she witnessed him eavesdropping on a private conversation between the Merlins earlier. He says that he was interested in Peter and Emily's love story, but she can tell that he is lying. Amy believes Nick Hawthorne's ulterior motives for getting close to her and her family are sure to change the family's destiny forever .