The Duke of Bramford is finally settling into the routine of ducal responsibility after a decade of serving King and country. The only obstacle standing in the way of fulfilling his dreams is his best friend, the Earl of Milford. Where the Duke is compassionate and strong-willed, the Earl is straight-laced and obstinate. Where the Duke finds it in his heart to marry the woman who has been his intended since her birth, the Earl believes that she will bring nothing but embarrassment and heartache. After all, a duke should marry the cream of society, not a damaged chit with nothing to commend her - with not a title or a penny to her name. After an accidental house fire that left her orphaned and disabled, Anna went to live with her aunt in untamed Scotland. Whilst her aunt had done her best to care for Anna, she had been largely isolated from the world. She knew little of her fiancé, bar what all the world knew - he was titled, wealthy and had wanted little to do with her, until recently. With a twist of fate Anna gets what she deserves, but not before her heart is broken into a million pieces and her faith in humanity is sorely tested.