Duke Philip Harding proposes to his love, Lady Louisa, a week before Christmas, but their happiness is short-lived when Lady Louisa suffers a tragic accident. While visiting an ailing Lady Louisa who grows more cold and distant towards the Duke, he befriends Ellen, who is visiting her ailing father. When Louisa is released from the hospital, the distance between her and Philip grows. When Philip's best friend, the Earl of Longford, is hurt in an accident and taken to the hospital, Philip visits him and again sees Ellen, who he finds very beautiful. When Ellen introduces Philip to her betrothed, Simon, it ignites a jealous spark in the Duke.Fate throws Ellen and Philip together but an unplanned series of events then tears them apart, forcing them to go their separate ways forever. But when dangerous secrets and scandals arise, both Ellen and Philip find themselves faced with difficult decisions that will alter both of their lives.