Lady Cora Stephens has an enemy. A certain earl has always been the bane of her existence. Her father loved him, and probably secretly wished he'd been his son, and not his friend's. He'd tormented her when they were children, and his arrogance had only grown with age. She vowed one day to wipe the smugness away and replace it with the same pain she'd endured for years. Hayes Grant, Earl of Thornton hadn't led the charmed life most had believed—even if the façade he presents to the world enhances that belief. His father was a brute of a man and beat him more times than he could count. He didn't get a reprieve until after the rotten man died, but the damage had already been inflicted, and could never be undone. Hayes lashed out at anyone that showed him kindness, not trusting its veracity…even the only girl he'd ever loved. He wished he could have taken back all the things he'd said to Cora over the years, but some things couldn't be changed. She would never believe he loved her. Why should she? He'd been a complete arse over the years. It was for the best though. He was too damaged to ever love her as she deserved, and the only good thing he could ever do for her was save her from himself. Cora's desire for revenge turns to something else as she learns about Hayes' past. His pain had been far greater than hers, and her heart breaks for him, but may be too late. Some wounds can never heal…even when love is given freely.