When Declan O'Connor, Earl of Donnelly, arrives at Hadley Green to meet
with Lily Boudine, the new countess of Ashwood, he knows instantly that
the lovely woman who welcomes him is not who she pretends to be. In an
attempt to avoid an unwanted marriage, Keira Hannigan has assumed her
cousin's identity and is staying at the estate while Lily is abroad.
When Declan threatens to expose her, Keira convinces him to guard her
secret, then enlists him in her investigation of the missing jewels, for
she now believes an innocent man was hanged. Unable to deny the
beautiful, exasperating Keira -- or their simmering passion -- Declan
reluctantly agrees. But neither is prepared for the dangerous stranger
who threatens to reveal Keira's lies . . . and Declan knows he must
protect Keira at all costs, for she is the woman who now owns his heart.