Rory has arrived at Northwood Manor, a world of privilege and unspoken rules that clashes sharply with his humble origins. His presence is a scandal, unsettling Gabriel and Eleanor's carefully constructed life. The Duchess, Gabriel's mother, views Rory as an affront, while a cunning rival family, alerted to the rumors of a new, illegitimate heir, begins to plot Northwood's downfall. Gabriel, ever the dutiful Duke, finds his marriage tested as he strives to protect his family's honor and secure Rory's place, all while battling the insidious machinations of Lord Ashworth, Eleanor's cruel cousin, who resurfaces with a new scheme. As secrets from the past threaten to unravel their future, Rory must prove his worth in a society that judges him solely by his birth, and Gabriel and Eleanor must stand united to defend their home and their love against all odds.