She could barely meet his eyes . . . so how was she to marry him? Widowed and a mother of two, Lady Alinor no longer feels the same joy being the mistress of Roselynde. Her husband's passing has left emptiness, both at the keep and in her heart. Somehow, Alinor manages to remain spirited, even as King John's rule means she must fight to keep her land and her family safe. Salvation lies with a trusted family friend, Sir Ian De Point, who offers to marry Alinor. In order to protect that which she loves, Alinor reluctantly agrees because England's days are growing darker, along with the ire of King John, who hasn't forgotten the mistress of Roselynde, nor his intentions for her ruination . . .