Wealthy widow Lady Marianne Draven is as notorious for her behavior as she is for her beauty. Unbeknownst to the ton, however, her scandalous image obscures a desperate quest: to find her kidnapped daughter. Clever and daring, Marianne will stop at nothing to get her little girl back and the last thing that she expects is for her heart to get in the way.
A man of honor, Thames River Policeman Ambrose Kent has devoted his life to duty and doing what is right. To save his family from financial ruin, Kent takes on a risky yet lucrative assignment. Fate has him investigating a mysterious and unscrupulous beauty, a lady he has no right to desire and no power to resist. Passion ignites and secrets unravel. Can Marianne and Kent work together to rescue her child from a dangerous foe? Can their love survive betrayal and will Marianne surrender to Her Protector's Pleasure?