Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London's top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case ... if only she can melt the man's stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London's tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership ... and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both ... and leave their love hanging in the balance.