Iris Tavners met the man of her dreams. Then she found out that he was in love with someone else. Not one used to rejection, the outgoing high-spirited daughter of an innkeeper is no longer content with harmless flirtations, but nor is she sure if she can ever give her heart to another. August Williams, the Earl of the Westwood, returned to London from his days hiding from the French eager to wed his fiancée, only to find that she gave her heart to another in his absence. Now the once charming rogue has lost all joviality. When he is told his identity has been compromised and he must return to the Wild Rose Inn, his spirits sink even lower. Shocked when the former spy returns to Southwold, Iris is determined to resist being captivated by his charm once more. August, meanwhile, has sworn off women—especially those who are easy on the eyes and known to be fickle with their affections. But when danger threatens, will the two be drawn together despite their best intentions?