Lady Lucia White and His Grace, Roland Casper, Duke of Gracefall, fell in love when they were young and naive. It was a hidden, illicit love. Nobody knew. But he promised to marry her. Then the war with France came, and Roland went away to serve his King. He wouldn't forget her. He promised. The day he leaves is the day her father reveals that their fortune has been lost. They are ruined. Ten years later, Lucia has not received a letter from Roland. She is resigned to a life of spinsterhood. But her mother has other ideas. She wants to marry her off to a sick, wicked, revolting man name Douglas Roper. They are courting when Roland returns, and seeks to reclaim his love. But he cannot openly declare it. The King wants him to marry Lady Rachael Mortimer, a rich, wealthy lady, not at all like the disgraced Lucia White. Lucia is waiting for the Duke to make his move, desperate for him to make the right decision. But she is growing tired of waiting."