The beloved "sunshine" of the ton, Miss Charlotte Chapman, is trapped in the carriage with an utter madman. There's simply no other explanation for it. Why else would the rough, reclusive Earl of Trevelyan-her deceased brother's most beloved friend-sweep her away during a terrible snowstorm without explanation? All she knows is that his rather boorish behavior somehow involves her pending betrothal...

Trevelyan has a reputation for being something of a beast in society's circles, but nothing-nothing-will stop him from rescuing Charlotte from her disastrous engagement. He promised his best friend that she and her sister would be looked after. Of course, the earl can only protect her from the blackguard who's trying to marry her. Protecting her from himself is quite another matter...

Now, thanks to their upended carriage, they're stranded at a country inn-which has only one room left. And all it takes is one kiss to unlock the simmering desires they've never admitted...and a heartbreaking secret that could shatter Charlotte into a million pieces.