Julia Fleming never forgot her old lover Gareth McNair, or his betrayal. Years later, he's back from the Napoleonic Wars—the newest Duke of Harrow—rekindling an old passion. Julia's only defense against her treacherous feelings is to cling to the sting of heartbreak.

Gareth did not expect to run into his past in a ballroom his first night back in London. Seeing Julia again awakens painful memories of how she left him to unexpectedly marry another. Now she's widowed, and more desirable than ever.

When Julia must enlist Gareth's help to save her sister from a forced marriage, they find themselves forced confront the love they once shared—a love that never really died.