Edward MacFell is a prosperous Northumberland farmer with a sadistic bent. He routinely hurts and humiliates family members and workers alike. When he goes too far, he becomes the victim of a murder made to appear an accident. His mild-mannered son Charlie witnesses the crime and protects the killer in the name of friendship and justice. Charlie is inveigled into a disastrous marriage with Victoria Chapman, the promiscuous county belle, unaware that her sister Nellie is in love with him. Then comes the war...