Lady Isabella Riley has always known she's different. She has a passion about her that leads her to unladylike thoughts. Instead of fantasizing about such things, Isabella wants to experience them. Caught in a compromising situation one fateful night, Isabella knows her only hope of becoming worthy once again of being Phillip's sister is to wed a stranger -- Lord Stirling. A kind and gentle man he is not.

Five years of loneliness has passed with Isabella abandoned in Scotland with only her roses and books as company. Then her cousin, who's visiting from France, comes up with a solution to fill Isabella's lonely days and nights. What she needs is a handsome man who can give her some attention with no expectations other than the obvious.

Mr. Gideon Rosedale arrives at Isabella's estate for a fortnight...of what? He does not yet know, but he will soon find out. Gideon earns his living pleasuring women. Long ago, he realized physical assets could not fill the void where a family should reside. If anything, it makes him understand just how alone he is in the world. And as he stands on Isabella's front lawn overlooking her gardens, he knows why he is here. Lady Stirling is lonely.

Their hours together are thoroughly enjoyable with time passing too quickly. Gideon carefully guards the boundaries where true emotion crosses with physical pleasure. In his business, that is a must. But somehow his "Bella" keeps slipping beneath his defenses. It is simple arrogance to believe he has met a woman who truly intrigues him. Gideon is thankful to have recognized it this early as "something that can never be."

Talk to a passionate woman who has met a kind man, a man who gives her confidence and the courage to simply be herself, a man who truly makes her feel alive for the first time in her life, an ideal companion who makes her forget he has been hired; such a woman with a full heart will stop at nothing to have that man. Gideon must remain with her and she will see to it that it happens. And Gideon is deserving of just as much happiness. He must stop thinking of Bella as a client and start thinking of her as the woman he loves.

Ms. Collins has written a very tender and passionate love story that really tugs at your heartstrings. Her characters are lovely, imperfect people who are strong, courageous and good. The plot gently moves forward revealing intriguing and unexpected twists that turn an adventure of the heart into an adventure of a lifetime. HER LADYSHIP'S COMPANION is exciting, thrilling, sensual and pure reading bliss.