Faced with a choice between becoming a mistress to a cousin she despises or a lifetime locked away in Bedlam, Lady Arabella Whitmore has concluded that she might have been a bit rash when she ran away from home instead. While Aria has no desire to end up as one of her despicable cousin's many bed partners, she has no desire to freeze to death in the wilds of England either. Except that as the winter turns harsh and cold, she discovers that surviving on her own is much more difficult than she expected.

An outcast from proper English society, Dr. Michael Longford barely survived the war against Napoleon during his time as a field surgeon. Known as "Satan's Physician," Michael is both physically and emotionally scarred, preferring to brood at his estate in Somerset than to re-enter Society as many have urged. After all, what woman would desire a man like him in her bed?

When a dying Aria is discovered hiding in his stables, Michael must use every medical trick he knows in order to save her life. Then, he must decide what to do with her. However, as Christmas closes in, what once seemed like an easy decision is no longer quite so clear, especially when Aria proves that there is more to her than anyone believes. Will Michael make the right choice? And can Aria help free Michael from the demons that lurk inside of him before it's too late?