"The ruse should work, Lady Kitty, so long as you don't confuse pretense with reality..."

Lord Zeke Thurgood, future earl of Claybourne, sees no problem taking on the role of Lady Kitty's fake fiancé for the six month period his grandfather, the earl, deems necessary.

"You needn't worry. You do not meet my criteria for a husband, Lord Thurgood..."

Given the choice, Lady Kitty would flee rather than put Lord Thurgood to the trouble of acting as her fiancé. As for his arrogant admonition, she assures him she has no desire to marry him, even if, in her heart-of-hearts, she's half in love with the man.

Alas, faking an engagement is a slippery slope...

Zeke never intended to kiss the chit. But one taste of her lips and his hunger for her grows. A marriage of convenience would solve both their problems, but Kitty, stubborn little fool, will marry for love or not at all.

When a new and unforeseen danger threatens to take Kitty from him forever, Zeke can no longer deny the truth. With the clock ticking, he'll convince Kitty he's the only man for her, or lose the woman he loves more than life itself.