When the war took Ryan's life, Rockhaven was left without a male heir for the first time in its history, elevating Teal to countess. She was prepared for that and had already been running the family's interests for the years Ryan had been fighting Napoleon. What she wasn't prepared for was the arrival of Kit Devlin and the news that Ryan had betrothed her to him. She knew she'd eventually have to wed, but planned on doing so on her terms and in her own time. Kit was too strong. He was too autocratic. She wouldn't be able to control him and she knew it.

Kit was as shocked at the betrothal as Teal and no happier about it. He had a fine life just as it was. Kit knew he needed to at least consider things, especially when he learned just how wealthy Teal was. The woman would be attracting every fortune hunter on two continents when news got out. If nothing else, he owed it to Ryan to protect her. But like Shara before him, it is the outsider who brings danger to the Rock and reluctant or not, it is up to Kit to vanquish it.