Princess Serena of Badenstein intends to flee--from her violent father and from the man to whom she's been pledged in a political marriage of convenience. Karl von Lohenberg is without a country, a title--and a bride if he lets Serena get away. A ruthless man, he takes her to a secluded island, hell-bent on seduction. Only, he discovers a broken woman behind the prim princess facade. The time they spend together mends her spirit and touches his soul, but how will she react when she finds out how he's deceived her?