In the heat of a battle in the war against Napoleon, Major Lord Tyverne is wounded and trapped behind enemy lines. Then a redcoat comes to Ty's aid and insists the peer ride his horse to safety. Later, horrified to learn of his rescuer's death, Ty vows to live up to the brash young soldier's parting challenge to save someone else's life.

To repay the debt of honour, Ty offers his hand in marriage to the dead man's sister. And Delia Croft is certainly in need of help. For the retainer her cousin provides is barely enough to keep her and her dependents clothed and fed. But Delia longs for a union of love, not obligation - a union that the handsome officer may not even believe in...