Con Somerford and Susan Kerslake were companions and lovers one summer when he visited his family in Devon. When she repudiated him, he left. They didn't see each other again until he returns from war as the new Earl of Wyvern. Con arrives to find Susan as his housekeeper.

Susan and her brother are trying to find the money that the previous Earl had taken from their father before he was transported to Australia. Since he hadn't kept the pact, they needed the money to keep the smugglers from starving.

Con wants nothing to do with Crag Wyvern but feels obligated to get things in order before returning to his home. He isn't prepared for the onslaught of emotions when he returns and sees Susan again. He must discover what happened to the money that has disappeared from the accounts and then leave temptation behind. Neither is prepared for the events that will draw them together or the fact that their feelings for each other are so strong.

A re-issue, this book was as hard for me to get into the second time as it was the first. The bitterness and animosity between the hero and heroine prevail for a long time until their mutual attraction outweighs everything.