Liza Friend

England, 1820s. Amelia Oakley dreams of dressing every woman in Welburn-regardless of birth-in beautiful, handmade gowns. To fund her vision and teach the art of sewing to others, she opens a school within the stately home of her brother-in-law, Lord Joyce, the Earl of Carlisle. Yet, this bold step brings her into frequent, unwanted orbit with Lord Wentworth-her brother-in-law's notorious friend, a man whose dishevelled appearance is matched only by his lack of appreciation for fine fashion.
But beneath Lord James Wentworth's rakish facade lies a heart burdened by secrets. Soon to inherit an earldom teetering on the edge of ruin, Wentworth has spent two bitter years toiling in solitude, determined to right his family's wrongs. At last, desperation drives him back to Welburn-and to Lord Joyce's door-to make a plea that wounds his pride: he must ask for help. Amelia and James set plans in motion to gather investors for their separate business ventures in London, her school and his farmer's cooperative.
Frustrated and brought low, Amelia learns it is harder than she thought to bring people to her cause, placing the welfare of all the women now in her employ in jeopardy. While James blames himself for his father's financial ruin of their estate, his unwillingness to ask for help threatens the safety and security of not only his estate, but also that of many of his neighbours. Only when they unite their efforts do they realise the potential for success.
Though they clash constantly, an undeniable attraction grows between them, shadowed by the fear of being hurt again as they both had been before. As Amelia and James fall into a passionate romance, they must learn that opening up to love and seeking support can lead to true happiness.