Yet, despite his cold façade, Lady Anne finds herself strangely attracted to this handsome stranger. And no one is more shocked than she when they are discovered engaged in a passionate kiss. That single moment changes the future for them both, for there is no choice but to marry in order to save Anne’s name and reputation, as well as that of her family.

Simon Blackwell is a man tormented by his past - suffering a loss so great that it has left him a broken shell of his former self. He has sworn never again to allow himself to feel love or desire, knowing that to chance loss again would destroy him forever. But with Anne he feels a hunger he has not felt in years. And despite his attempts to deny his feelings, his passion for Anne cannot be ignored.

As Anne and Simon embark on their new life at Simon’s estate in Yorkshire, Anne finds the protective wall Simon has built around himself almost impenetrable. Though he shares his body with her, it is his heart that she yearns for.

It is easy to care for these characters as they dance around one another, trying to find their way to happiness. Samantha James has created a tortured hero and a feisty heroine who the reader will cheer on, while turning page after page hoping for their happy ending.