Abandoned as a baby, Joanna was brought up by the cruel farmer who found her and put to work on his land as soon as she could walk. Despite such hardship, Jo still keeps her spirits up, strengthened by the knowledge that she was discovered in a luxurious blue velvet cloak - evidence that her true mother must have been a fine lady.

When successful factory owner Abraham Silkin decides that she has the potential to make him a good wife, Jo believes that her dreams of living in splendour are finally coming true. But she hasn't bargained on her forbidden attraction to Abraham's godson. Nor does she realise that the truth about her family lurks just around the corner - and is getting ready to reveal itself on the most important day of her life . . .