Fiona Rutherfield faces a conflict between her forced engagement to a man she dislikes and her intense attraction to a merchant captain forbidden by her father. Fiona must navigate the rigid social expectations of her wealthy family and the professional power her father holds over her lover, Bill Lindsey. The narrative follows her struggle as she attempts to reconcile her personal desires with the external pressures of her father's authority and the global instability of World War II. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track Fiona's movement from Scotland to the wartime environment of Casablanca, highlighting the physical and social barriers that separate her from the man she loves.

Readers often identify this work as a classic example of mid-century romantic fiction that prioritizes emotional stakes over complex political analysis. Discussion frequently centers on the protagonist's agency within the restrictive social structures of her time and the effectiveness of the wartime setting in heightening the drama. Critics highlight the author's ability to maintain a consistent pace while balancing the tension of the forbidden romance against the backdrop of global conflict. Many readers appreciate the straightforward narrative style that focuses on the central dilemma of duty versus personal fulfillment.