Hugh Devereaux inherited the title of Duke of Hastings from his father, and with it gigantic debts. The family is threatened with ruin... However, the impossible happens: a rich tradesman offers to pay all the family debts if Hugh becomes his daughter’s husband. The only condition attached to the huge dowry: the girl must not find out that she is entering into a marriage of convenience. Naive and kind Eliza Cross is sincerely sure: Hugh married her for love. There is no happier newlywed in the world, no young wife who loves her husband more tenderly. But one day her world collapses - the young countess accidentally finds out that she has become only part of a cynical deal...