Hurt and betrayal are equal to her shock when Grace Banbury learns her compulsive gambler mother waged her virtue in a game. Grace gathers her pride and arrives on her brother's doorstep only to learn of his recent gambling losses. Once again, Grace must control her own fate. Meeting the winner, Grace bargains and engages Daniel Throckmorten in a challenge. He will attempt to make her his mistress. If he loses, Grace wins back a valuable violin that will restore her finances. Having stumbled badly before with a man, Grace believes she can outwit Daniel.

Daniel Throckmorten loves a challenge and Grace Banbury promises to be a worthy opponent. This dare would end the restlessness and boredom he's felt with his businesses and gambling. Conducting this bet in front of society, without them being aware, will add to the excitement. His disdain for society is the result of his family always being involved in some scandal. Society does not cut him outright, since he's cousin to a duke, but they pull their daughters from his path.

Society watches Daniel pursue Grace believing he's picking his next mistress. However, Grace manipulates and maneuvers Daniel as she attempts to redeem him. Their unusual dance provides amusement, but the game between them sparks an attraction that Grace finds difficult to resist. Her self- respect is all she has left, and Grace can not trust her heart to a man who does not know the meaning of love.

Ms. Callen begins her new Sons of Scandal series with a winning love story between two strong characters. The dare and its consequences provide lighthearted entertainment with a touch of menace thrown in, if the truth becomes known. Once again, the talented Ms. Callen gives readers a treat.

Book Summary

A pact with the devil . . .

Miss Grace Banbury was in shock. Her mother put her up as a prize in a high stakes card game, and now the gentleman who won is ready to claim her! But Grace has other plans. She just needs the dastardly rogue to go along with it . . .

A notorious rake from a scandalous family, Daniel Throckmorten has no use for blushing virgins. Yet there's no denying the attraction for the beauty standing before him, proposing an enticing wager: He will use all his charm and wit to seduce her into his bed . . . and she only has to resist. If she succeeds, she wins enough funds to secure her own future. If he wins . . . she'll be his. Daniel has never been so tempted—and he has no intention of losing . . .