When destitute widow Mary Vale aids an injured man on the road, she is shocked to discover that he is the reclusive Lucas Alastair, Marquis of Rothley She's intrigued by the dark Marquis, but when she offers to nurse him back to health in return for shelter he proves a difficult patient Lucas hides some deep emotion beneath his brusque manner, and a stolen kiss leaves Mary longing for more... She's able to help mend his physical injuries, but can Mary heal the wounds of his painful past?