Never let it be said that a Cynster male can t face up to the one unassailable truth: A successful marriage gives life its fullest meaning. To all of English society， Simon Frederick Cynster has a perfect life -- one of enormous wealth and impeccable social status. His lean handsomeness turns the heads of na?ve debutantes， while his sensual allure ensures he never lacks for more sophisticated partners for a night， or more， of pleasure. Yet despite all of this， Simon knows that there is something -- or rather someone -- missing in his life.To achieve true contentment， Simon must find a lady accomplished enough to be his wife， someone who will spend her days as a member of one of England s most influential families ... and her nights pursuing duties of a more private -- and personal -- nature.But Simon knows what to expect if he reveals his intention to choose a bride; nothing could be more tiresome than having every blushing miss on the marriage mart thrust upon him. So he discreetly begins his search at a house party at Glossup Hall ... and is astonished that the lady who immediately captures his interest is Portia Ashford.Simon has never considered Portia as a potential wife. He s known the raven-haired beauty since childhood; she s willfully independent and has always claimed to be uninterested in marriage. But an unexpectedly heated kiss abruptly alters the rules of their decade-long interaction. Soon they begin to long for the moments they can spend in each other s arms.But all is not as it seems at Glossup Hall. As Simon and Portia begin to explore the depths of their mutual passion， a shocking murder is committed ... and it appears that the next victim will be Portia herself. And even more shocking than the fact that a murderer secretly walks among them is the realization that all of Simon s considerable strength and influence may not be enough to protect Portia -- his once and always perfect lover ...