The sinking of the Brig Minerva results in many deaths while for others the future is suddenly brighter But its not always easy to leave the past behind Lord Randolph Litherholm has spent a year coming to terms with the death of his twin brother Gervase the 7th Duke of Falconbury Now its time to set aside his mourning and accept his role as the 8th Duke Its not the management of the vast Litherholm wealth that bothers him for hes been running the estate for years No his reluctance is all due to the marriage that was arranged for his brother and the expectation that Ran will take on his brothers bride as well as his title Lady Ruth Grenabys marriage was arranged when she was twelve Now shes twentyone and still waiting for her wedding day Her intended husband is dead but to her father the younger brother will do just as well Hes a duke after all and his eldest daughter cant possibly marry a less exalted man Shes a dutiful daughter so shell do as her father says and marry Ran even if he only sees her as another inherited obligation But shattering events cause her to reevaluate everything shes ever believed in and she must decide between duty and love