A Memory of Love — Janet Cookson

Hiding her true identity, Lucy Sanders takes a post at Pennington Hall, the family home her grandmother, Maria, says was stolen from them by the Durrants. Simon Durrant, the current owner, is devastatingly attractive and Lucy finds herself falling in love with him. However, they are torn apart when Maria sues Simon to reclaim the Hall. Lucy is astonished when Simon suggests they resolve the dispute by marrying. To please Maria, she agrees but, convinced that Simon does not truly love her, flees the Hall when her grandmother dies...