When gambling debts incurred by Sir Nicholas Kirwan's late father nearly sent the family estate into poverty, there was only one way to restore the fortune: marry an heiress—not a likely find in 1816 Ireland... Until Nick meets wealthy Rietta Ferris. It seems like the perfect chance—and match—for him. But Rietta is used to men flirting with her only to win the charms of her beautiful and vivacious younger sister, Blanche. Afraid of getting hurt or being loved for the wrong reasons, she hides her own beauty behind a stubborn facade. Nick will have to see past the surface to discover the lovely woman she is inside. And to win her trust, he will have to prove that he truly loves her for herself.