Grace Danvers, a wealthy merchant's daughter, wants a love match and refuses to consider her good friend's proposal. When the handsome and popular Lord Jack makes her acquaintance, Grace quickly succumbs to his charms. His interest in botany and her paintings make her ashamed that she judged him by his appearance. Grace protests when people dismiss her as a redheaded Amazon and do not take the time to get to know her.

Lord Jack Byron, the third son of a duke, finds himself in a sticky position. He owes a huge gambling debt to a rich merchant who will only erase the debt when Jack marries his daughter. The only condition, she must never know of their arrangement. Jack expects a terrifying woman and instead finds Grace a quiet but talented artist. Jack likes her, as he does all women. His ex-lovers become his good friends. Jack never expects to fall in love, lust certainly, but never love.

Lies and secrets have a way of unraveling. When Grace learns the truth, she demands her own arrangement. For the first time, Jack finds he has a heart and it is broken. In their suffering both must learn to forgive and grant second chances.

Ms. Warren takes Grace's one-sided love and twists it as she reverses Grace and Jack's roles. She transforms Grace from a graceless, insecure woman into a swan, while she places Jack in unfamiliar state of emotional turmoil. It is another topnotch read from Ms. Warren.

Book Summary

He Had to Marry Her

Everyone in London agrees the Byrons are just as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know" as their poetic non-relation. But Lord Jack Byron is facing a predicament that is scandalous...even for him!

Marry a young woman because he lost a bet? Unreformed rake Lord Jack Byron would do anything to get out of it. But the rich merchant who holds his debt insists Jack lead his on- the-shelf daughter to the altar...and make her believe it's a love match. With no options, Jack agrees, thinking he'll be shackled to a closed-in spinster.

But Grace Danvers is no milk-and-water miss. When he first encounters her in a London bookstore, Jack is struck by her tempting sensuality and soon becomes determined to bed — and wed — her (in that order!). Yet though he plans to seduce her with his touch, he never dreams he'll also want to win her with his love.