The cold, precise Duke of Montford demands things his way: neatly ordered, in place, and adhering closely to the rules. So he is furious when he learns that the tenant of his ducal estate has been dead for a year, and a stranger has been running the Honeywell business - which, by contract, is now Montford's. When he arrives in Yorkshire to investigate, he discovers that the estate is being run by an unruly, tomboyish woman - and a bluestocking at that!

Fiery redhead Astrid Honeywell is independent and educated. She's been handling the Honeywell family business for years. And she's not about to relinquish it to anyone - not even Montford - because of some archaic contract.

Montford and Astrid have an instant hatred for one another...and an undeniable, unspeakable attraction. They must resist this improper desire - after all, Montford has a fiancée in London. But when Astrid's life is placed in terrible danger, Montford finds he may be willing to risk everything to save her.