Celestine Simons was past the age when a woman could hope to marry. She held a good position as governess in the household of the Marquess of Ladymead. But when the Marquess's brother, Lord Justin St. Claire arrived, Celestine's heart caught fire. Yet, a marriage proposal from a pleasure-seeking aristocrat had to be merely a cruel joke, if not pity for a poor spinster. Love was a game for Justin -- until he met Celestine. Justin never thought he could be felled by cheerful good sense & intelligent conversation. He'd set out to give the timid miss an innocent thrill under the kissing bough -- becoming smitten with the gray-eyed beauty was the least of his intentions.

But the more he denied his aching heart, the more he yearned to make Celestine his!.