Lord Michael Thornfield is an old friend of Lady Tara Oakwell. She turns to him for consolation when she is knocked back by Biff Fowler. Michael falls for Tara and eventually proposes to her. Tara accepts Michael's proposal as she is facing mounting debts. They marry on 16th September 1998 and Tara soon learns Michael has a temper. The couple decide to leave the village together and go overseas. Tara and Michael later divorce.