Once upon a time, many years ago, a Quaker family from Kentucky saved someone else's child from certain death. Named Dora, Given by God, the girl grew up without knowing that she was the daughter of a noble English lord. Pace Nicholls, the unusually attractive but dissolute son of a wealthy plantation owner, has been the hero of her dreams and wildest fantasies since childhood. He is used to graciously accepting Dora's love, not even suspecting that one day he will lose her - and only then will he understand how dear she is to him...