Even though it means her chances of marriage are slim, Lady Catherine Harrington prefers life in Cornwall where she devotes her time to playing her pianoforte. A chance encounter with Lord Julian Fitzgerald has her believing that perhaps one day she may fulfill her dream of performing in public. His interest in her puzzles her for he is betrothed to another. The son of a duke, Julian Fitzgerald will stop at nothing, not even the displeasure and disapproval of his parents and society, to forge his own future. When sabotage threatens the success of his tin mine, he puts his own life in danger to prevent it. But will it be enough? Particularly when thoughts of the alluring Catherine distract him. Will Catherine's passion for music lead her to find passion in the arms of Julian? Or will her determined young lord succumb to family duty?