Anna knows little of love, but dutifully travels to South Africa to marry a man twice her age, her father's choice. When he dies and the family disowns her, there's no money to bring her home, and she must find a way to survive. Set in the Boer War of 1899 to 1902 and its aftermath, Anna's story is one of transformation as she leaves behind her privileged upbringing and devotes herself to supporting homeless Boer families. More than once she encounters army vet James Forsyth, whom she believes despises her. So, when the war ends and he unexpectedly inherits a title and lands and asks her to marry him, what should she do?