Christian Dumont had been to hell to pay for the sins of his father.

Now a royal command to wed would restore all he had lost—but at what price? For though marriage to landed, beauteous Emalie Montgomerie seemed to present no hardship, his countess harboured a secret dangerous enough to destroy them both!

Though she held her honour unblemished in her heart, Emalie Montgomerie knew coming unchaste to the bridal bed was a sin unforgivable in a noblewoman. Still, the desire flaring in Christian's eyes offered her hope...but would the prideful Dumont ever accept another man's babe as his own?