Inga Svartdal has just been married off to the much older Niels. She quickly realises that Gudrun, Niels' adult daughter from his first marriage, does not intend to relinquish control of the family farm. Inga is forced to bow to the will of her wicked stepdaughter.

It doesn't take long until Niels starts asserting what he believes to be his rights in bed, which causes Inga distress on the nights he spends at home. But where is he on all the other nights?

Everything changes when Martin, a neighbour, appears on the farm. Feelings between Inga and Martin quickly blossom, and even though she's a married woman, Inga cannot stop herself from falling in love.