Life has been cruel to Grace Collins. Orphaned as a young child, she is raised by her bitter and religious aunt, Emily. Starved of love, she falls for the first man who shows her affection, Barry Swan, and when she becomes pregnant Emily disowns her. Barry and Grace marry and for a while Grace knows happiness, but can't help feeling something is missing. When Barry indulges her passion for ballroom dancing, the gap seems to be filled - until she meets handsome, charming Philip Golding, who sweeps her off her feet, but draws her into a web of deceit and fear.