Nicholas Pencarrow, Duke of Westbourne, is intrigued by the woman who saves his life and then vanishes. Queries as to her identity turn up the name of Brenna Stanhope, although every attempt to make contact with this beautiful mystery lady is politely rebuffed. Brenna has a dark secret she must keep hidden, so she has built a respectable, uncomplicated world around herself where she can avoid all male advances. Yet, against her better judgement, this determined man keeps breaking through. Could she risk harming Nicholas's reputation by lowering her guard just once?