In 1792, the village of Hadley Green executed a man for stealing
the Countess of Ashwood's historic jewels. Fifteen years later, questions still linger.
Was it a crime of greed - or of passion?

When Declan O'Connor, Earl of Donnelly, arrives at Hadley Green to meet with
Lily Boudine, the new countess of Ashwood, he knows instantly that the lovely woman
who welcomes him is not who she pretends to be. In an attempt to avoid
an unwanted marriage, Keira Hannigan has assumed her cousin's identity and is staying
at the estate while Lily is abroad. When Declan threatens to expose her,
Keira convinces him to guard her secret, then enlists him in her investigation of
the missing jewels, for she now believes an innocent man was hanged.

Unable to deny the beautiful, exasperating Keira - or their simmering passion -
Declan reluctantly agrees. But neither is prepared for the dangerous stranger
who threatens to reveal Keira's lies . . . and Declan knows he must protect
Keira at all costs, for she is the woman who now owns his heart.