Love and obsession are recurring ideas in the book. Jamie humiliates his enemy, Salomon Van der Merwe, by seducing and impregnating his young daughter, Margaret. Jamie then leaves Margaret to her own devices, refusing to have anything to do with the daughter of his sworn enemy. Margaret, however, is deeply in love with Jamie and determined to convince him of his love for her. Margaret leaves her son, Jamie Jr., with his father for a week shortly after his birth. Margaret hopes Jamie will come to love the baby and as a result wish to make a family with her and the child. Jamie does fall in love with the baby, but refuses to marry Margaret because of who she is. Eventually Margaret wears Jamie down and he does marry her, but the marriage is one of convenience.