Lord Elliott Rothwell, the youngest brother of Christopher, fourth Marquess of Easterbrook, is every lady's dream of sexual desire. With both of their parents dead, the handsome and virile Elliott has been given the assignment of recovering the memoirs of the late Richard Drury, which may have insinuations of their father's plot in the death of their mother's lover.

Richard's daughter, Phaedra Blair, was born as a result of "free love" beliefs causing her late mother, Artemus, notoriety as a woman who defied all forms of convention of society. Phaedra is not to be owned by anyone and will determine her own fate, as well as openly choosing her lovers without commitments.

A cameo inherited from Artemus is professed to be an antique relic from the Pompeii ruins in Naples. In seeking the truth of the cameo and the validity of her father's memoirs (which implicated many others as well), Phaedra finds herself under arrest in her quarters. A mock marriage is necessary between Elliott and Phaedra in order to rescue her and secure her release. Provocative, sizzling sex ensues as together they search for the truths.

Returning to London, Phaedra persists in publishing the damaging memoirs and to pursue their marriage as illegal. Even though Elliott is concerned about the family name being embarrassed by the memoirs, he also realizes he's in love with Phaedra and pleads to acknowledge the marriage as legal. Phaedra has also fallen in love with Elliott and her body burns at the sight of him. But she will not be "owned" by any man.

Will Phaedra give up her beliefs to be with Elliot? Will she publish the memoirs, eliminating the Rothwell family passage? Be prepared for sizzling and explicit, albeit touching, love scenes. LESSONS OF DESIRE flows easily with an interesting storyline without the complication of an overabundance of characters.