Kate Duncan knows what it's like not to be loved and wanted. After the loss of her parents when she was young, she became the companion and later chaperone to her great niece, Melanie, who is spoiled rotten and plain mean- hearted. When Melanie plans to use a love potion to snare Lord Stamford, and have Kate administer it, Kate downs the vial of potion to prove to herself it doesn't work. But when she ends up in the private rooms of a man and is captivated while she watches him make love to another woman, she has no idea if it is real or a dream. However, the following morning, she finds his signet ring in her room.

Lord Marcus Stamford has a heart of stone. Never having been loved, he has managed to destroy everything worthwhile in his life. Just months away from his 31st birthday, he is at risk of losing his inheritance if he doesn't marry. But he's in no hurry. When a beautiful woman shows up in his bedroom and watches him make love to another, he is instantly infatuated and knows he has to have her.

When Marcus discovers Kate at a ball, she is not what he expected. She isn't a lady but a chaperone. He isn't going to let her get away though; he means to have her. Kate is very attracted, but the scene Marcus makes regarding her gets her banished to her room, and she is determined to stay away from him. They soon start meeting in private and Kate falls in love. Marcus is unsure what he is feeling, but he knows he isn't good for her and will let her go when the time comes.

Livid over Kate and Marcus's affair, her aunt Regina accuses Kate of theft and embezzlement. In order for her not to press charges against Kate, Marcus has to agree to marry Melanie and break things off with Kate. As soon as he confronts Kate, he realizes his mistake. Marcus has to find a way to get her love back.

Ms. Holt is an extremely talented author. Every story she writes is sexy and romantic. The characters are so real, I'm sorry when the story comes to an end.

Book Summary

Kate Duncan agrees to help her young cousin land a husband though she draws the line when she learns the foolish girl wants to use an apothecary's love potion to snag the notorious Marcus Pelham! To prove the elixir a fake, Kate drinks it herself-and experiences the most erotic moment of her life when she stumbles upon Marcus in a most compromising position. Every nerve in Kate's body sings as she watches from the shadows, but is her response a result of the potion...or the man? Luckily, Marcus is far too busy to notice Kate's spying-or so she thinks...

As the Earl of Stamford, Marcus has his choice of willing ladies to share his bed. Yet nothing has ever aroused him as much as the image of Kate watching him. Marcus tries to have a little fun with Kate by drinking the elixir-and then appearing to lose all control every time she's near. But the prank goes awry when Marcus finds himself wildly and truly attracted to the innocent Kate. As he teaches her the passionate art of seduction, will he lose his heart for the very first time?