Lady Caroline and her husband have been trying to conceive a child since the day they married. Raised an only child, she always wanted to one day have a large family. She confided this to her husband before they wed, and he agreed to give her as many children as she desired.
Captain Reginald "Trey" Wilson had a devastating secret he has been keeping from his wife. He married her knowing he is unlikely to ever sire children because of his injury in the war. When his good friend, Viscount Huddleston, comes to him with the name of a researcher with a new piece of equipment that allows the man to see living cells, Trey knew he had to see him immediately.
In Edinburgh to visit this research biologist, Trey learns that it is unlikely he would ever have a child of his own seed. Later that night he comes upon a fellow officer, Corporal Graham, from his time in the army. They spoke of old times renewing their friendship, and Trey confides to Graham the extent of the damage from his injuries. Graham's sister, he said, was in charge of an orphanage, and upon his invitation Trey agrees to meet with the woman.
That one meeting changes Trey and Caroline's lives forever as they adopt seven sisters abandoned by their father after the death of their mother. And, to add to their new family, Caroline discovers she is, in fact, carrying her captain's heir.