Nine years ago, Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont, walked into her husband Elijah's office and found him having relations with his mistress. Brokenhearted, Jemma gathered her tattered pride and left him, transforming herself into the toast of Paris. After nine years, Elijah has requested that Jemma return for a possible reconciliation. Jemma wants tenderness and love; instead, Elijah remains devoted to his work in the government. She is merely an ornament and breeder in his eyes. Jemma, older and wiser now, does not give up. She tackles the feat of changing Elijah's heart and mind.

Elijah, the Duke of Beaumont, knows time is his enemy. His father died of heart failure at 34. This past year, Elijah has experienced fainting spells and an irregular heartbeat, which are becoming more frequent. In the short time he has left, Elijah wants to have an impact on improving the inhumane conditions in England. He calls Jemma home in order to secure his heir. But his gift for influential speaking fails him around Jemma. It's imperative that Jemma understand him and the harsh realities of life.

The saint and the sinner rebuild a friendship, partnership and love as they explore their separate and entwined lives. Their friend and sometimes enemy, the Duke of Villiers, plays a major part in their past, present and future setting up the premise for the last book in this series.

Jemma and Elijah's long-anticipated romance has arrived. Their reconciliation takes place within 11 eventful days that challenge and build hope, yet has an ominous threat hovering over Elijah. Ms. James' expertise in Georgian dress, morés and current events expands to incorporate medical experiments and treatment in the Georgian era.

Book Summary

Wedding bells celebrating the arranged marriage between the lovely Duchess of Beaumont and her staid, imperturbable duke had scarcely fallen silent when a shocking discovery sent Jemma running from the ducal mansion. For the next nine years she cavorted abroad, creating one delicious scandal after another (if one is to believe the rumors).

Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, did believe those rumors.

But the handsome duke needs an heir, so he summons his seductive wife home. Jemma laughs at Elijah’s cool eyes and icy heart—but to her secret shock, she doesn’t share his feelings. In fact, she wants the impossible: her husband’s heart at her feet.

But what manner of seduction will make a man fall desperately in love…with his own wife?