Returning home a wealthy man after a five-year absence, Jack Coltrane isn't prepared for the welcome he receives. He finds himself looking at the barrel of a hunting rifle held by his wife Meredith (Merry) Fairfax Coltrane.

Merry doesn't know whether to kiss him or kill him. Both are changed since that horrible night years ago when Jack's rake-hell father beat and threatened him, forcing the two into marriage so he could get his hands on Merry's money.

Jack's father is dead now and so are Cluny and Clancey, the two servants who cared for and loved them both.

But Cluny and Clancey are still hanging around; only Merry can feel them. These two fledgling "shades" have their work cut out for them, to help Jack and Merry admit their love and at the same time overcome the secrets and the shattering lies that can destroy it.