It begins as a small deception. It becomes a nightmare of passion and terror… Kate Collison is exquisitely beautiful and filled with fiery spirit. Like all the Collisons before her, she paints miniatures. So when her father begins to lose his eyesight, he persuades Kate to complete his most important commission: portraits of the powerful Baron de Centeville and his fiancee. 

          But the Baron is not so easily deceived. He reveals he has known all along that Kate was the painter and presents her to Parisian society. Finally Kate receives the recognition she has so long deserved. But her happiness is soon shattered. For the Baron has plans for her — shocking plans that change her life — until she learns to fight the Baron with his own weapons…