Richard has no choice but to marry the widow of the man who almost killed him. His vow to bebuff the lovely Lady Lucinda becomes a challenge. Ignoring her now fatherless son proves fuitle. Surely, bedding her to slake his growing lust should be his only goal, for allowing Lucinda to claim a piece of his heart would prove his downfall.

Lucinda reluctantly accepts the decree that she wed Richard of Wilmont, praying that his reputation as a knight of strength and honor guarantees he'll protect her son from her dead husband's notorious family. She didn't expect to be desirous of the quiet warrior, or to yearn for a true place in his life and heart - to hunger for a love that can never be.