As London's most notorious widow, Cassandra Frey is weary of fending off rogues, rakes, and even the Regent. In desperation, she claims the protection of a reclusive earl who can't easily refute her from his remote castle-only for him to appear on her doorstep and call her bluff! Does he seek another chance for the love she also desires, or the reprisal she deserves? Tangled in a web of her own weaving, Cassandra finds an opportunity to atone for a past scandal that destroyed her reputation and his trust.

Edward "Ned" Randolph, Earl of Kirtland, is fascinated to learn he not only has a mistress, but she's the former debutante who brutally crushed his heart when she was the season's diamond and he a gullible youth. Ned agrees to her seductive offer, tempted to publicly reject her afterward-until he discovers the terrible price Cassandra's paid for the treachery of others. But he'll never yield his heart again without the promise of her love-and a happy ending for them both.