Cassandra is a lady and Crispin is a stable boy in this Victorian era novel. They become friends in secret and a near deadly accident sees Crispin shipped off to India to work.

The two write each other letters to keep up their friendship. Years later, they meet again but with each of their circumstances changed.
While longing for each other, they are both engaged to others.

This was a VERY show burn romance with friendship leading the way for most of the book. I felt proud of both Cassie and Crispin as they take on the roles that life gives them with diplomacy and heart.