While accompanying her stepdaughter to her first ball, Lydia meets Viscount Nicholas Hemingford. A lot of time has passed since their last meeting, but he is still handsome, slender, charming and, as before, invites the most homely girls to dance. In her youth, Lydia herself considered herself ugly, but blossomed in Nicholas’s company. She knew that this hunter of rich heiresses would never offer her his hand and heart, and therefore did not strive to make the “right” impression and, unlike other girls of marriageable age, behaved naturally. Unaware of Nicholas's serious intentions, young Lydia accepted Colonel Morgan's proposal. After all, she had to think not only about herself - she had a sick sister in her care, and she only inherited debts from her parents. Eight weary years passed, Lydia was widowed, but her heart never recovered from her love for Nicholas. Will the Viscount be able to forgive Lydia for her incredulity and confess his long-standing deep feeling?..