A lifetime's work, two very different men ... and a woman in search of the truth.

When Oliver Hatton returns to his childhood home in Oxfordshire, most things seem reassuringly the same. But the poised and confident young woman who has replaced his childhood friend, Jane, is not so familiar. But then, if Jane now unnerves Oliver, it is at least some justice for the past years of humiliation she suffered at his hands. And anyway, now there is Jules Legrand, a research assistant helping to catalogue her uncle's priceless collection, and Jane is suddenly grateful for his friendship and support.

However, Jules is not content merely with gratitude and soon proposes marriage, urging Jane to start a new life with him in France. Oliver makes it clear he doesn't trust Jules an inch and demands that Jane face up to her true feelings. Then Jules vanishes, leaving only a trail of postcards for Jane to follow across the continent. And at the same time, a valuer confirms her uncle's historic collection is nothing but a set of clever fakes. Torn and confused, Jane must somehow discover the truth -- about Jules, the collection, Oliver... and her own heart.