When Clarice had wed Julian Rown, she had borne with pride and dignity the outrageous escapades and infuriating affairs of this strikingly handsome, shockingly rakish Viscount. Only when news of his mysterious death at sea was confirmed by His Majesty's Government itself did Clarice feel free to search for a different and finer kind of love than her hot-blooded and unfortunately irresistible husband had offered her.

But just when she had found the contentment she hoped for with the almost excessively honorable John Prescott, Julien returned from his supposed watery grave -- as insufferable and attractive as ever. This time, Clarice vowed, she would not give in to his pleas -- a vow so much easier to make than to keep...