For as long as she can remember， Lady Adriana Sutton has adored Colton Wyndham， to whom she has been betrothed since childhood. But Colton was too proud to submit to a future not of his own choosing， and he fled his ancestral home for a life of adventure as a British army officer. Years later， the girl Colton spurned has blossomed into an uncommon beauty desired by every eligible bachelor in the land -- except the man she desires， the decorated hero who has finally returned home. As arrogant and seductive as ever， Colton agrees to court Lady Adriana for ninety days to prove that love cannot be forced， after which time he will be free. But this stunning， spirited woman is far different from the young chit he left behind. And a heroic heart， once tightly closed， is now susceptible to Adriana s charm and sensuality -- even as dark secrets and a rival s treachery threaten to steal her from Colton s arms forever.