Fiercely independent Alyssa Carrington deftly ran her father's English estate for years. But before his death, he auctioned Westgate Manor to the highest bidder, leaving her penniless. Now there was a new lord of the manor—and Alyssa found herself at his mercy.

A charismatic ladies' man, the Duke of Gillingham is more than happy to welcome lovely Alyssa into rooms that were once hers—especially the master bedroom. Never before has he met a woman who so attracts him body and mind. But it is exactly Alyssa's mind that concerns her. Much as she enjoys the Duke's attentions, she does not enjoy the longing he inspires. Nor will she become another of his conquests. Yet the Duke has powers of persuasion Alyssa never dreamed possible. Now she must decide whether to risk her sensibly planned future—and her sensibly guarded heart.