Claire Gundry thought she had escaped the shadows of her noble lineage. As the daughter of a disgraced marquess, she made a new life for herself as a governess to the young Lady Florence, finding solace in her love for literature and music. However, when she grows dangerously close to Lady Florence's guardian, the enigmatic Lord Bannerdown, her past threatens to unravel the new life she has built.

Can Claire be strong enough to reveal all the secrets she keeps from Lord Bannerdown?

Ernest Barnes, once a humble medic, has been thrust into the unfamiliar world of nobility after inheriting an Earldom following the Battle of Waterloo. Struggling to adapt to his new title and responsibilities, Ernest feels torn between his duties to his estate and his desire to return to a simpler life as a physician. Despite his struggle, his attention keeps being caught by his ward's mesmerizing governess, Miss Claire Gundry, even as pressure mounts…

When all he wishes is to sink into his life of helping others while also honoring his duty, will Claire help him see the way forward?

Together, Claire and Ernest must navigate their differences, haunted by past losses and uncertain futures. Can Ernest reconcile his newfound title with his calling to heal? Can Claire confront the fears of her hidden history? As they bond over the care of Lady Florence, their connection grows—but when society conspires to keep them apart, will their love be strong enough to defy the expectations that surround them?