Abby Reed, grieving for her mother's death, finds an unexpected source of comfort in the silent, sullen Gillan Collingwood. But then his elder brother Edward marries the rich and beautiful Helen Harrison, and the minute Gil lays eyes on his brother's wife he falls deeply, passionately in love. Only Abby recognises the fire in him, and it shatters the bond between them. While Gil loves hopelessly, Abby turns to a man she thinks will make her happy even if she doesn't love him. Her marriage takes her into a glittering but shallow social scene, far removed from the shipyards of Newcastle, where the Collingwoods and her father pursue the business of building ships. But she cannot forget Gil Collingwood and the childish delight they found together making snow angels long ago...