Destitute after the mysterious death of her husband, Nora St. James, notorious Countess of Havermere, is desperate for a benefactor to support her growing gaggle of orphans. The surest way? Remarry. But, after finally tasting freedom, the thought of trusting her fate to another man is unbearable. And reentering ton society to beg for a handout seems equally daunting especially when gossips gleefully whisper, Murderess! Sick of blood and death, Farren Cavanaugh flees civil war-torn America to scour England for his missing brother and niece. But a captivating woman keeps turning up at each stage of his quest, proving a sore distraction. Or is she? Might the bewitching countess and her charity home hold the key to finding his family and healing his wounded heart?