Wealthy landowner Simon Clare shuns Northumbrian society. With his son gravely ill, the last thing Simon needs is an interfering woman assuming command of his household—no matter how sensuous her figure, or how tempting her luscious lips…. Phoebe Benedict knows what it is to struggle and isn't frightened of the badly scarred recluse and his gruff exterior. It's the man beneath the scars that makes her heart race….