Gil Archer was a man of the world--the high pressure, high society world of international finance and diplomacy. Cecelia Vargas, his daughter's riding instructor, was a woman outside that world, but he saw in her the warmth and love his grand estate lacked, and he took it for himself. She had married him for love--he taught her the meaning of ecstasy. But Gil still hadn't learned that love was not something to be acquired and ignored--and the price of the lesson might be the loss of Cecelia.

Lovely Valeda Alcester has adventurously agreed to pose as Governess to her young niece, a charade devised by her scheming sister to ensnare the elusive Marquis de Silvala. But inspired by the beauty of Spain, Valeda finds herself drawn to the striking Marquis. Then danger intervenes, and Valeda finds herself wondering: Will the handsome Marquis free her from this evil?