The Round Tower - Catherine Cookson

Vanessa Ratcliffe was just sixteen—and even though she had a convent education, she had a provocative manner that drew envious eyes in her direction. She lived in one of the big houses on Brampton Hill, for the Ratcliffes, a powerful and avaricious family, were considered 'big' folk in the town. Angus Cotton was a rough diamond who lived in Ryder's Row, down among the goods yards and dirty streets. But as an engineer at Affleck and Tate he was worth his weight in gold; and the manager, Vanessa's father, knew it but hated to admit it. Angus had ambitious plans for his future, and although these plans had never included Vanessa, events were to draw them together...