Rose learned that her wastrel brother had finally hit bottom when his "bank" - gambling hell owner Jack Richards - appeared at her country home to announce his ownership of her hand and to take immediate possession of her body. She didn't learn of her longstanding betrothal to a Highland laird until her servant, Neddie, announced it as they fled England for Scotland. Lovely Laird Ramsay Sutherland didn't learn of his betrothal to the English Rose until she and Neddie appeared, shortly after pressure from clan elders convinced him to enter a betrothal with Flora MacKenzie whose childish crush had never waned. Ram's passionate fall for Rose means that he must do the unthinkable and break his Highland betrothal. But when Ram learns of a dark family secret held by Flora's father, Laird MacKenzie, will he be forced to discard the woman and the love he can't live without to protect and preserve his heritage and family honor?.