Emily Housend's life is about to change with the arrival of a new neighbor from France. While everyone else in the little village of Nittleton is eager to befriend this newcomer, Emily is cautious to deepen their relationship. It is far too easy to be influenced for the worse by those closest to us. But will her reserve cause her to lose the good opinion of her sister? Or will her decision to move to Nittleton Estate to be the companion of Lady Bell only widen the deepening rift? But Emily's mind cannot dwell completely on such worrisome topics, for there is a young clergyman whose feeling of friendship has, in his absence, blossomed into something deeper. Torn between her friendly love for him and a desire headed by a need to be married, Emily cannot know what her heart is really saying. As she searches for the answers to these looming questions, her faith and character is tested. Will she have enough strength to find her own path apart from what society says, or will she be Influenced by Association?