In this second prequel novella to the bestselling series, New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes continues the story of the Duke and Duchess of Moreland through the tumultuous and bittersweet first years of marriage and parenthood.

Percival Windham is a second son and cavalry officer when he weds the beautiful Esther Himmelfarb, who bears her beloved husband four sons in little over five years of marriage. She's exhausted and emotional when suddenly his older brother dies, and Percy becomes, reluctantly, the Duke of Moreland. It's a role that doesn't fit him well at all. Esther and the children join him when he's called to London, where she finds her husband is at Court much of the time, the children hate being cooped up in the townhouse, and her health is not improving.

On top of all that, Esther is accosted by one of Percival's former mistresses. The woman is desperate, and towing around a little boy whom Esther recognizes as Percival's son. While riding in the park, Percival is accosted by another former amour who claims to be raising Percival's daughter. Now that he's a Duke, the women want his patronage.

Percival's innocent illegitimate children and their respective mothers' demands will test the mettle of the Duke and Duchess, and they must grow into the level of nobility they've been resisting and stand together, or face the threat of becoming estranged and destroying their young family and the beautiful love that started out with such promise...