Daughter of Fortune tells the story of Eliza Sommers, a young Chilean girl orphaned at birth who is characterized by her innately independent and open-hearted spirit. Having spent her whole life in the British colony of Valparaíso, Chile, Eliza is eager to seek adventure elsewhere. Leaving behind her home and the family that raised her, Eliza heads to California during the Gold Rush of 1849 in pursuit of the love of her life. But Eliza finds something other than love in California — Eliza finds herself, her freedom, and her place in society as dictated by the corrupt morals of her home country and her new one.