The new Duke of Lyndhurst, Lieutenant Colonel Miles Barclay, arrives home from the Peninsular War severely wounded, with no memory of how he was injured. He finds Seabring understaffed and the rector's daughter in charge of his baby brother, Lord Peter, a child he wants nothing to do with.

Claire Trent has loved Miles since she tagged after him and her big brother when they were children. Widowed shortly after a youthful marriage, she has taken on the monumental task of holding Seabring together despite next to impossible circumstances. But now she must accept the greatest challenge of them all. She must save Miles' life with her reputation intact, all the while hiding the fact that her feelings for him go far beyond friendship.

One, two, and then three inexplicable accidents put Miles, Peter and Claire in danger. Is someone trying to kill them all? Or just the duke?