Jane Ash, at the tender age of eighteen, falls in love with Ensign Edward Wincanton. Jane's father, somewhat overprotective of his only daughter, does not see Wincanton as a suitable match for Jane and refuses to consent to the match.

Six years later, Ensign Wincanton has progressed in rank and is now Captain Wincanton. He returns to Sussex to claim his love, Jane Ash. But Jane has made an interesting discovery; she finds Edward Wincanton to be a very silly man. Her father has reconsidered, though, and has decided to give his blessing to the union of his daughter and Captain Wincanton.

A letter arrives from Jane's Aunt Louisa telling them that Meriden and his heir, Harry, have died within a week of each other. Jane goes to West Dorset to be with her Aunt in her moment of grief, and to help with Louisa's five children and the running of the Meriden estate. Getting away from Edward Wincanton is an added bonus, and Jane is hopeful he will set his sights upon someone else in her absence.

Julian Stretton is now the Lord of Meriden. The estate, Louisa and the five children have all become his sole responsibility. Delayed because of serious wounds sustained in war, Julian finally arrives to take over his duties at Meriden. Louisa is not a very reasonable person to begin with, and when Julian begins making proper changes, she is not happy.

Jane is a visitor at Meriden and Julian is her cousin-in-law. Over the months, Jane's feelings for Julian grow strong, as do his for her. Fearing that Julian would never have the same feelings for her, Jane decides it's time to move on. Jane then goes to stay with her Aunt Hervey. After Jane leaves Meriden, Julian finds himself spending far too much time thinking about her. But it takes the interference of family to bring Jane and Julian together at long last.