Lady Sarah enters the duke's sturdy with a steel backbone hoping her fear does not show. She prepares to battle or beg her father to rescind his order to banish his dying wife to Scotland. Once again, Sarah underestimates his cruelty and power. He has sold Sarah to a wealthy stranger and if she objects, her mother will pay. Within a few days, Sarah marries a man she does not know. The stranger accedes to her marital wishes and they return to her ancestral home where she cares for her mother.

Douglas Eston, a self-made man, does not believe in love at first sight until he sees Lady Sarah. She barges into his business meeting with her father. Her beauty radiates, but what captures his heart is her courage. It is obvious her father terrorizes her. Douglas feels an overwhelming need to protect Sarah. Without a second thought, he accepts the duke's preposterous bargain.

Sarah's shock at her new marital state is tempered by Douglas's refusal to demand immediate consummation of the marriage. He confuses her with his behavior, offering compassion and support, while acknowledging her intelligence. Douglas begins charming and seducing Sarah by using words to inspire wicked pictures in her head.

Ms. Ranney takes readers through a wide range of emotions in SOLD TO A LAIRD. Readers will experience Sarah's profound grieving at her beloved mother's death and then the healing. She demonstrates to use of words as a powerful aphrodisiac in Douglas's seduction of Sarah. There will not be a dry eye or a more anticipated seduction.