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.