In Regency England, a pretty young widow loses her estate--to the man who blames her for his broken heart . . . Maude Bellamy is devastated when the intervention of her strict father prevents her from eloping with her true love, Luke Hexham. But it is not long before she is married off to Luke's well-to-do cousin--a good match in her father's eyes, but an abhorrent one to Maude.   Eight years later, her husband is dead and Maude, Lady Hexham, is appalled to find his entire estate belongs to Luke--with no provision for either herself or her young daughter.   Luke has never forgotten Maude's apparent treachery, and now he has a chance at revenge. But as much as he still carries the scars of that betrayal, he cannot ignore the stirring feelings within his heart. And soon, both Maude and Luke realize that perhaps it is never too late for true love.   But even as they finally come together, there are those who will do anything to keep them apart . . .