Short Synopsis
After years abroad, Royal has returned to Bransford Castle to find his father dying. The old duke wrests a final promise from his guilt-ridden son: that Royal will marry heiress Jocelyn Caulfield and restore the estate to its former glory. However, it is not his fiancée who quickens Royal's pulse, but rather her beautiful cousin Lily Moran. Contains mature themes.

Full Synopsis
After years abroad, Royal has returned to Bransford Castle to find his father dying and the family treasury nearly empty. Then the old duke wrests a final promise from his guilt-ridden son: that Royal will marry heiress Jocelyn Caulfield and restore the estate to its former glory. However, it is not his fiancée who quickens Royal's pulse, but rather her beautiful cousin Lily Moran.

Penniless Lily knows that nothing can come of their undeniable attraction—but there is a way she can help Royal. Enlisting some questionable characters from her past, Lily concocts an elaborate ruse to recover some of the Bransford fortune from a notorious confidence artist. As the dangerous scheme unfolds, Lily and Royal are thrown together in pursuit of money, the very thing that keeps them apart.

Contains mature themes.

"Set in 1854 England, this steamy trilogy opener from bestseller Martin is an enjoyable mixture of tension and romance." ---Publishers Weekly

"Prolific Martin delivers another charming historical romance." ---Booklist

"Readers will be thoroughly enchanted by the spirited characters, sizzling passion and suspenseful plotting." ---RT Book Reviews

"Anna Parker-Naples did well in keeping the pacing just right and conveying the emotions of the story. Her male voices gave her a bit of a problem but the book does have a rather large male cast. Overall, I enjoyed her delivery."---Book Worm Brandee