Lydia Peterson is content to run her stud farm and remain single, the last thing she wants is an autocratic brother-in-law interfering with her life even if he is the most attractive man she is ever met. Colonel Simon Wescott, on leave from the Peninsular War, believes that a wife has no place in a soldier's life until he comes into contact with his infuriating, headstrong sister-in-law.

However when a series of dramatic events throw them together and both their lives are endangered they are forced to reconsider their first impressions.

Will Simon be able to compromise his duty to put King and country first in order to save Lydia's life? Can she give up her independence and become a soldier's wife?