Talia Hall, the only daughter of the Earl and Countess of Rushton, finally confesses her abiding love for her childhood friend James Forester, Baron Castleford. But James has adventurous plans that don't include marriage, not even to Talia. When he leaves London yet again, a devastated Talia throws herself into her charity work and tries to forget the only man she will ever love. In exchange for financial help, James promises Talia's eldest brother that he will stop Talia from her dangerous work with juvenile delinquents. But when he returns to London, he discovers that the young girl he left behind has become a woman of strong determination and a fiery passion that is impossible to withstand.