A soldier and a pacifist make the unlikeliest of pairs, but when attraction sparks, thereβs nothing that can prevent their love from igniting.
Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Strattonβs second son, the slow burn of attraction between them begins.
Nicholas is a cavalry colonelβa hardened soldier whom Winifred at first despises. She finds him intimidating and cruel- looking, while he finds her strange and startlingly forthright. During a summer at Ravenswood, however, Nicholas and Winifred are unwillingly thrown together on several occasions, until they realize the passion that drives their disagreements is not due to dislikeβit is because of attraction.
Winifred still awaits Owenβs proposal, and Nicholas has made his intention to marry his commanding officerβs daughter quite clear. With allegiances to other marriage prospects and brotherly bonds at risk, not to mention the age difference between them, Nicholas and Winifred know it would be wholly improper to pursue a romance...
And yet, romance is irresistible. Perhaps even inevitable.