Young Charlotte Mortimer is content with her lot. She loves her job teaching the poor and destitute in the local school and is happy with her strong, steadfast fiance Luke. Then, one day, a terrible mining explosion rocks the town and suddenly everything Charlotte thinks she knows is thrown into doubt. The arrival of wealthy businessman Justin Weatherby complicates things further. Charlotte must marry him to save the school she loves even if it means sacrificing everything else that is dear to her. There are secrets and lies at every turn to challenge her; will she ever make it as a bargain bride? Can one brilliant pupil at the school surprise them all? And can she ever love the austere man who has married her and saved her beloved school from certain destruction.