Lady Emily has always dreamed of a love and a marriage that would transport her to heights of rapture she has never known. But though the dark, dashing, and mysterious stranger who arrives at her father’s castle has indeed come for Emily, romance has nothing to do with it…

Draven de Montague, Earl of Ravenswood, would never have entered the home of his most hated adversary had not the king himself ordered Draven to take in his foe’s daughter for a year, to forge bonds of peace between their two feuding houses. Yet here is a lass whose spirit and loveliness could tempt Draven to betray his sworn vow never to let another close to his heart. Emily knows the searing heat of her passion could burn down stubborn Draven’s defenses—but will his surrender ignite a blaze so hot it consumes them both?