At 29, Constance Pamberley has declined eight offers of marriage and is quite the old maid. But she doesn't care, for life at the house she inherited from her father suits her admirably. Then a coach carrying an uncommonly handsome youth crashes through her fence, leaving the man unsure of his identity. And while Constance endeavors to rein in her sisters' giddy attentions to him, she finds herself smitten with his guardian, the towering Viscount Ramsdell.

A HEROIC YOUNG WOMAN. . . Katherine Pamberley loves life in Brighton—in spite of Captain Evan Ramsdell trying to spoil her fun. He's entirely above being pleased—and his old-fashioned ideas about women drive her mad! How he managed to engage her affections so thoroughly, she'll never know. But thoughts of romance are soon overshadowed by rumors of a plot to assassinate the Prince Regent. Katherine can let nothing stand in the way of her patriotic duty—not even the man she adores... ...AND HER VALOROUS OFFICER Miss Pamberley was a singular woman of independent mind. And her behavior was often less than decorous—not the sort a serious-minded man was wise to pursue! So it's to Evan Ramsdell's enormous surprise that he's developed a profound interest in the rambunctious Katherine. Still, it's not until he discovers she's willing to risk her life for her country that Evan realizes he's deeply in love with the most valiant of women—and that he'll do anything to keep her by his side...