Kate Duncan knows what it's like not to be loved and
wanted. After the loss of her parents when she was young,
she became the companion and later chaperone to her great
niece, Melanie, who is spoiled rotten and plain mean-
hearted. When Melanie plans to use a love potion to snare
Lord Stamford, and have Kate administer it, Kate downs the
vial of potion to prove to herself it doesn't work. But
when she ends up in the private rooms of a man and is
captivated while she watches him make love to another
woman, she has no idea if it is real or a dream. However,
the following morning, she finds his signet ring in her
room.
Lord Marcus Stamford has a heart of stone. Never having
been loved, he has managed to destroy everything worthwhile
in his life. Just months away from his 31st birthday, he is
at risk of losing his inheritance if he doesn't marry. But
he's in no hurry. When a beautiful woman shows up in his
bedroom and watches him make love to another, he is
instantly infatuated and knows he has to have her.
When Marcus discovers Kate at a ball, she is not what he
expected. She isn't a lady but a chaperone. He isn't going
to let her get away though; he means to have her. Kate is
very attracted, but the scene Marcus makes regarding her
gets her banished to her room, and she is determined to
stay away from him. They soon start meeting in private and
Kate falls in love. Marcus is unsure what he is feeling,
but he knows he isn't good for her and will let her go when
the time comes.
Livid over Kate and Marcus's affair, her aunt Regina
accuses Kate of theft and embezzlement. In order for her
not to press charges against Kate, Marcus has to agree to
marry Melanie and break things off with Kate. As soon as he
confronts Kate, he realizes his mistake. Marcus has to find
a way to get her love back.
Ms. Holt is an extremely talented author. Every story she
writes is sexy and romantic. The characters are so real,
I'm sorry when the story comes to an end.
Kate Duncan agrees to help her young cousin land a husband
though she draws the line when she learns the foolish girl
wants to use an apothecary's love potion to snag the
notorious Marcus Pelham! To prove the elixir a fake, Kate
drinks it herself-and experiences the most erotic moment of
her life when she stumbles upon Marcus in a most
compromising position. Every nerve in Kate's body sings as
she watches from the shadows, but is her response a result
of the potion...or the man? Luckily, Marcus is far too busy
to notice Kate's spying-or so she thinks...
As the Earl of Stamford, Marcus has his choice of willing
ladies to share his bed. Yet nothing has ever aroused him
as much as the image of Kate watching him. Marcus tries to
have a little fun with Kate by drinking the elixir-and then
appearing to lose all control every time she's near. But
the prank goes awry when Marcus finds himself wildly and
truly attracted to the innocent Kate. As he teaches her the
passionate art of seduction, will he lose his heart for the
very first time?