Gerrard Debbington is one of the chosen few -- the
gentlemen
who've learned their social and amorous skills at the feet
of the masters. Handsome and wealthy, protégé and
brother-in-law of Vane Cynster, Gerrard is part of the
charmed Cynster family circle. One of the most eligible
gentlemen in the ton, Gerrard is constantly besieged by
offers from London's most sought-after beauties, but as the
ton's foremost artistic lion, there's only one offer he
wants to accept -- the chance to paint the fantastical but
seldom-seen gardens of reclusive Lord Tregonning's
Hellebore
Hall.
That chance is dangled before Gerrard, but to grasp it he
must fulfill Lord Tregonning's demand that he also create
an
open and honest portrait of the man's daughter. Gerrard
loathes the idea of wasting his time and talents on some
simpering miss, but with no alternative, he agrees ...
Only to discover that Jacqueline Tregonning inspires him as
no other lady has. Certainly she is beautiful, but Gerrard
is stunned by the deep emotions she stirs and is captivated
by her passionate nature and innate goodness. He is soon
convinced that Jacqueline is the soul mate he needs as his
wife.
But something is horribly wrong at Hellebore Hall. Evil
lurks in the beautiful gardens and along the rambling
pathways. And that evil reaches out to ensnare Jacqueline,
trapping her in a web of insidious whispers -- whispers
that
paint her as a double murderess.
The rumors are false, but someone is actively spreading
them. Convinced that Jacqueline is innocent of all
wrongdoing, Gerrard is confident his portrait will open
others' eyes to the truth he sees, but when a long-dead
body
is discovered in the gardens, the campaign to blame
Jacqueline escalates -- Gerrard and she are running out of
time. The days they spend together lead to nights of
sweeping passion -- and Gerrard vows to move heaven and
earth to protect the woman who, for him, personifies the
truth about love.