At a house party in Berkshire . . .

Miss Ivy Barnett was warmly welcomed into society as the American niece of Lord Kendal, but she quickly discovered that the Englishmen she met were no more interesting than their American counterparts. At least, not until she met the straitlaced Earl of Claymere, the most unattainable bachelor in all of England who made it known to one and all that he would not marry for at least another decade.

No one could have predicted . . .

Claymere had never met anyone like the bold and beautiful Miss Barnett, and her effect upon his senses was dizzying. One passionate embrace led to another, and suddenly, Claymere could not imagine a life without her. He proposed, and she rejected his proposal. A year ago, he would have felt relieved. But not now.