Gwyn, the innkeeper's daughter, is a nonconformist. She rebels against the traditional role which she is expected to play as a woman. If she does not marry a man of her father's choosing, she has few options—to live alone, dependent upon the charity of others, or to go as a servant for a lord. Neither of these roles appeals to Gwyn who reaches a turning point in her life, one that causes her to break with her family and to feel even more isolated and somehow different.

While taking care of the young son of a Lord, Gwyn and the boy become snowbound and are forced to spend many weeks in an isolated cabin. To help pass the monotonous hours, the young lord, Gaderian, teaches Gwyn to read and write. They both know they are breaking the law and agree to tell no one...