Cynthia Brightly arrives at the Redmond country estate as the guest of Violet Redmond. It is not her antecedents or wealth, since she has neither, that cause Violet to invite her, but her reputation as the life of the party. Unfortunately, the popularity has gone to her head and she's made numerous bad choices. London society no longer welcomes Cynthia. Broke and without any options, she plans to find a husband at this house party before word of her misdeeds follow her. Miles Redmond, hosting for his absentee father, corners her with a proposition. He will help her find a husband if she allows him one kiss. Cynthia agrees, believing one kiss is no different from others she's received. Dumbstruck by the sizzling electricity from the kiss, Cynthia knows she's in trouble.

Miles Redmond understands his father cannot make heads or tails out of Miles' life. Instead of gambling and sowing his oats like other wealthy young men, Miles has become a scientist always looking for answers. He embarked on a South Sea expedition to study and understand the wonders of nature. When the mercenary Miss Brightly enters his life, Miles' analytical mind wants to know what makes her tick. Thinking he can outmaneuver her, Miles is not prepared for the insanity that strikes him with one mere kiss. That one simple kiss opens up a world of unknown desire that he's never felt before.

Cynthia has a heart, but cannot afford to let it rule her life; whereas Miles has a heart, but chooses not to follow it. He treats marriage as a business proposition. With a tenuous pact between them, Cynthia and Miles' lives collide on a path that neither expects.

Ms. Long continues her exciting Eversea and Redmond family saga with a dramatic tale of two strong individuals who believe in practicality over love. That belief undergoes a profound transformation when love opens another extraordinary universe they never imagined. Ms. Long creates an insightful and superbly satisfying story of awakening love.