Miranda Parkman has spent years recovering from a broken heart. Her girlhood dreams of marriage to the handsome Viscount Charing were crushed when Julian engaged in a sordid affair with his former fiancée. Eight years later, a reunion with Julian grants her wish, thanks to an unexpected afternoon of blissful indulgence. Now, however, Julian's former lover seems determined to steal Julian back—and the gossip has her already in his bed.

The Earl of Hetherton is in a bind. Julian hasn't believed in true love since his fiancée betrayed him and married his best friend. Worse still, he's spent years indulging in an ugly affair with the same woman. Now, jaded and with his respectability in tatters, Julian desires only two things from life: a comfortable marriage to produce his requisite heir and a chance to leave his past behind. An opportunity for the first comes when his attraction for a friend's sister leads to an unintended seduction and a trip to the altar. His other desire may be harder to realize, for despite this hopeful beginning his chance for happiness is marred by one thing—his former lover is determined to have him back, and refuses to take no for an answer.