When the formidable, obscenely wealthy Duke of Devon stumbles upon the delectable younger sister of a chronic gambler who'd lost a wager to him, unmet since fourteen years ago in his very own bride hunt ball, he uses the situation to good advantage; a marriage on his terms. Marriage had not been in his agenda but the deadline to fulfilling his father's dying wish was close at hand not to mention, procreation had become indispensable as he rapidly approached forty. In a marriage of convenience love wasn't necessary or desired only the girl's innocence and genuine nature soon break's through his rigid defenses. Will their passion be strong enough to see them through when a secret from his past is revealed and threatens to tear them apart?