A Lord and a Lady promised from birth, an avaricious uncle with plans of his own, an impossible choice which leads to disaster, an unplanned compromise, a love fulfilled despite all opposition. Lord Marcus Northam was betrothed to Lady Kathryn Harrington when he was four, and she just born. Always in each other’s company, they grew up, certain of the happiness of their fate together – until he was sent off to school, and a series of misfortunes led to a pivotal moment. On the day that should have been the happiest of his life, Marcus is forced to make an impossible choice – and the consequences of that choice will shatter both of their lives. Lady Kathryn Harrington has always loved Lord Marcus, and held no doubt that he would marry her, even in the lonely years after her parents’ deaths, whilst he was away at school. Her faith in him remains intact, until, on what should have been the happiest day of their lives, he disappears, abandoning her. Two years later, when Marcus returns to England, everything has changed – he is now the Duke of Weatherly, and Kate has sworn never to forgive him for what he did. But despite everything, they are drawn to each other, unable to deny the love which has always been between them. Can Marcus tell Kate the truth of his disappearance, even though it may betray her in another, most likely unforgivable, way? Will Kate forgive Marcus? Or will the chain of past betrayals destroy their hope of a life together?