Eight years ago, a tall, handsome stranger entered Lizzie Allbright's bedchamber and consummated a marriage of the utmost necessity. The Marquis of Steyne had agreed to wed and bed Lord Bute's admittedly lovely daughter to pay off his mother's gambling debts. But once the deed was done, Steyne's lawfully-wedded wife vanished into the night. Years later, Steyne has nearly forgotten about his runaway bride. But when he finds himself in need of an heir, he has no choice but to track her down.