A Sword to the Heart — Barbara Cartland

Lord Ranulf Colwall, owner of a famous name and the most impressive Norman Castle in England having experienced one disastrous marriage decides to choose the mother of his heir with care. He picks out Natalia Grey-Stroke, a girl of fifteen with the right breeding, who is in fact a relative, and has her educated to his instructions. At eighteen he sends for Natalia to come from Cumberland to Herefordshire so that they can be married.

Natalia was sensitive and idealistic, and from the moment she saw Lord Colwall, she knew that him was the one man she could love. And when he asked to marry her, she thought he felt the same way. But on her wedding night, Natalia overheard her husband say that he would never permit himself to love any woman--all he desired from marriage was an heir to his vast estate.

Natalia was crushed. She knew she could never truly become Lord Colwall's wife. Desperate and afraid, she fled her new home--still hoping she had kindled some spark of affection that would bring him to her side.