The Sterling and Valerius families had originally been strangers. But on one occasion, Aurora Sterling's grandfather used his superb medical skills to save Lord Valerius, who was still alive at the time, from a sudden heart attack. The two men hit it off immediately, and Lord Valerius took the initiative to propose a marriage alliance between their families.
However, Lord Valerius's three eldest grandsons were already much older, making the age gap between them and the young sisters, Joyce and Aurora, far too great. In the end, the only choice was Damien Valerius—the son of a maid, held in very low regard—who was only eight years older than the twins.
