James Devlin has found everything he's ever wanted in his betrothal to Emma, a wealthy society miss. His life as an explorer has given him a knighthood but he needs money to pay off his debts. Emma's dowry will enable him to do that and live the life he has always wanted.

When he first meets Susanna in her guise as Lady Caroline Carew, he watches her fascinate men just as she bewitched him in their younger days. Now, he must battle his attraction to her and keep her from breaking his sister's heart.

Ms. Cornick has take the concept of breaking up unsuitable relationships to a new height by introducing a character that does it for a living. Thrown out of the house by her parents when they discovered that she had married James Devlin, she lived a horrible life until she inadvertently broke up a relationship and accepted money for it. Even so, she lives on the edge of penury and is always aware of what lies ahead if she is not successful in her endeavors.

James never wants to return to the poverty he faced as a child. His betrothal will offer them all a life with all the necessities and giving up the dream is hard. The more time he spends with Susanna, the more he realizes the trap he will be in if he marries Emma.

Susanna and James have a love-hate relationship that made it a little hard for me to completely engulf myself in the story. However, the characters were so real that I was moved by the harsh realities each had faced and the strength it took for them to overcome their situations. A fascinating, emotional read.

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