Lord Townsend's been skulking about France for weeks, having fled London with a broken heart. Why'd he have to lose the love of his life, the beautiful Lady Ophelia? And to his damned best friend? If he can't have Ophelia, he'll have vengeance. He vows retribution upon Lord Wescott and returns from France with a solid plan.

A solid plan that swiftly goes awry.

Lady Jane McConall is minding her business—and her small winter garden—when she learns she's to wed the devastatingly handsome Marquess of Townsend. Goodness, who on earth would refuse? She vows to be the very best wife to this dark, mysterious man, to make him love her even though they're little more than strangers. She doesn't realize yet that her prospective husband nurtures a long-standing affinity for order and discipline.

Nor does she realize a plot is afoot, a plot that will come undone at the worst possible time...