Lord Crispin Merrick and Amelia Ralston were childhood playmates --- innocents frolicking on the grounds of Hunterdon Estate. When Cris left home and headed off to school, young Amelia was devastated --- for she adored her companion and best friend more than she could say. When he returns ten years later, her frustration grows deeper still, for Cris cannot see her for the eligible woman that she is, but still as a mere child. Crispin thought that it was the honorable thing to do: salvage Amelia's family estate --- which he found in disarray --- and care for her and her siblings by becoming their guardian. Little did he know of the depth of Amelia's feelings, or that she was crestfallen when his offer was not one of marriage! But Cris's brotherly fondness for this spirited miss is about to give way to emotions that set his heart reeling --- as he sees Amelia in a new light, and finds a passionate bond worth more than estate. But when darkness and danger threaten their world, Cris and Amelia discover what it truly means to love, trust, and honor for a lifetime.