Olivia Monteith refuses to consider the man her parents want her to marry. He is a respectable, but dull, man who will suffocate her just as her overprotective parents have done. There is only one man Olivia desires for a husband -- Dominic Lacey. Years ago, he befriended after her sister's tragic death. Now, Dominic is a disreputable rake. That does not dissuade Olivia. She plans to marry him and sets forth a strategy worthy of a general's campaign. Dominic does not stand a chance.

Lord Dominic Lacey's womanizing has earned him the nickname "Wicked Nic." He is a loner, having been estranged from his mother since the death his father, who died from a stroke that occurred after they quarreled violently. Nic's mother has never forgiven him. Only Olivia's friendship during that time helped soothe his troubled soul. When she began to get a girlish crush on him, Nic deserted her, afraid of any tender relationship. He prefers superficial and meaningless encounters. Nic swears he will never marry or depend on anyone but himself.

When Olivia turns up on his doorstep, Nic sees a passionate young woman beneath her cool and icy demeanor. Her marriage proposal startles him. Though she presents a logical case, he will not corrupt an innocent. Olivia refuses to accept his denial. Logic might not work, but for a sensual man such as Nic, temptation and desire should do the trick.

Ms. Bennett has plenty of surprises up her sleeve in her newest book. There are no hints at the beginning of the twist that will eventually occur, only an undercurrent that people might not be what they seem. The ending delivers quite a punch and raises expectations for the next book in this series.

Book Summary

It is 1837 and the Celebration Ball at Miss Debenham's Finishing School is underway. Miss Lucille (Lucy) Monteith is about to escape to meet with her friends. Beautiful, blonde, with the calm frostiness so celebrated in the typical English beauty, Lucy is very different beneath her cool exterior. Passionate, desperate to live her life, she has no intention of marrying the man her parents have picked out for her. Instead she is determined to marry Lord Dominic Lacey, famously called Wicked Nic.

Though Nic has always liked Lucy and now finds himself very tempted by her, he has no desire to be attached to such a seemingly proper and respectable young lady. He is convinced he can frighten Lucy away with some scandalously improper behaviour. Alas, a scandal erupts and it seems as if she will get to marry him after all, but this wasn't the way she wanted it to happen. And can they be happy if Nic feels forced into marriage?