Ariadne Daunt has vowed to be with the man she loves, Gabriel Fawcett. Then, on his deathbed, Ari's grandfather decrees that she marry her childhood friend Ivor Chalfont, thus forging a powerful alliance between two warring families. Giving Ari no time to protest, the elders plan her wedding the next day. She is fond of Ivor, but Ari has no intention of consummating their marriage until he kindles an intoxicating desire that she can't ignore. And Ivor, who has loved Ari for years, won't rest until his bride surrenders to true love.