She will keep her head held high, no matter what... When Helen Merling, a happy girl with a loving heart, is seduced by a travelling actor, her life is turned upside down. The two are forced to marry by her strict clergyman father - but this isn't enough to stop Helen's family from disowning her. Helen and her husband escape to Europe, but their fortunes take a turn for the worse and Helen is left alone, responsible for both herself and their son. Two years later, in the picturesque Italian town of Serugia, Helen meets Charles Carnforth. He falls deeply in love with her... but he's not the only one trying to win Helen's heart. Can a new romance find its way into her complicated life? An emotional saga about one woman's fight for her independence. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Rosie Goodwin and Mary Mackie.