emphasized textMiranda Carstairs and her siblings are left destitute after their father is killed in action, and are worried what will happen to them when their supercilious uncle and penny-pinching aunt take up guardianship. To their surprise, the Duke of Halliford suddenly arrives and asks them to come stay with him. His younger brother, Richard, has suffered terrible wounds in Spain, but had been entrusted with the care of the Carstairs by their father, his comrade-in-arms. The siblings agree to return to the duke's country estate and help with Richard's recovery. As time goes by, the duke starts to take a romantic interest in Miranda. She is constantly on edge though, as she fears he will remember meeting her in an embarrassing encounter a few months before.