Lord Clifford meets Elizabeth when his ward Annamarie announces she means to marry Sir Henry, Elizabeth's brother.

Not only is Henry under age, Elizabeth controls his fortune. And sixteen-year-old Annamarie has been falling in love with unsuitable men for several years.

Until he can resolve this complication he cannot turn his attention to courting Elizabeth.

She, in turn, is wary of love after being cruelly jilted when she was just seventeen.