A vicar trying to save his own soul. A widow who yearns for children. A darkness that can only be dispelled with the healing power of love ... William Finchley carries a secret from childhood which he has never shared with anyone, not even his closest friends. When his brother commits suicide, Finch becomes the new Duke of Sommersby. He attend his first season with no plans to ever wed--until he meets Lady Pemberton, an optimistic, brave widow. Victoria Samuel, Lady Pemberton, returns to polite society after a year of mourning a husband who was murdered by a prostitute. She yearns for children, which is the only reason she faces the gossiping ton, hoping to find a husband of good character. Finch and Victoria are drawn to each other but Finch believes he is too broken and undeserving of love, even after he weds Victoria and then abandons her. Only when the mother he believes betrayed him shares with Finch how he should take a chance on the healing power of love does Finch decide to let his heart speak to Victoria. Will Finch's courageous actions win Victoria back--or will she reject him, plunging him into eternal darkness?