For six years, Diana Farington Verney had buried herself in the country, far from the gossip surrounding her ill-fated, marriage and her late husband’s demise. Indeed, London was be last place the lovely widow wanted to be, but she’d been summoned to oversee her sister’s debut and she vowed to hold her head high and do her duty, coolly avoiding the knowing looks on the all-too-familiar faces among the ton. The bold behavior of the dangerously handsome Lord Lucan, however was too much to bear. Diana knew that the only proposal a woman in her position could hope for was an improper one, and she was not about to let a rake such as Lucan turn her head - or change her mind about love.

The Earl of Lucan was no romantic, especially when it came to choosing a wife, but even be knew that second chances were gifts of fate - and so when he saw the golden-haired Diana, he swore to win her over this time around. Six years had passed since she’d caught his eye during her first London season, and she’d blossomed most beautifully from fresh-faced girl to desirable woman. Sadly, she bad lost her endearing innocence along the way and now looked at all men - including himself - with a jaundiced eye. Lucan knew he was no saint, but somehow he would convince Diana that she was capable of passion - even if he had to compel her with his kisses.