Fulfilling her dying father's wish, Rebecca Stratford married Robert, Marquess of Burlingame, assured that theirs would be a marriage in name only. But she was disturbed by the arrogant, brooding stranger who was now her husband. How could she pretend that their marriage was a love match when, despite her efforts to please, she continuously incurred his anger? How could she hide her growing love for him when even his false endearments set her heart pounding? As Robert so often reminded her, she was nothing but a schoolroom miss lacking the skills and refinements required of a marchioness. She rode astride in boy's clothing; she argued with her husband in public; she waltzed with an emperor—all embroiling her in scandal and bringing dishonor to the Burlingame name. Yet she yearned desperately for Robert's love. And when outside forces threatened his safety, she risked her own life, fully believing in the importance of love, fully knowing its sweet agony.