It could not have been a more romantic meeting...In the lush Italian hills, Geoffrey Stretton, soon to become Lord Lyndock, rescued the beautiful Princess Anthea von Hellenberg from the clutches of local highwaymen. And so began Lyndock's conquest of the young widow's heart.

Anthea had to admit that she had never been so drawn to a man. But her improvident, charming father had been just such a one: with laughing eyes, a devastating smile, bright wit -- and an unsavory reputation for collecting women's hearts like watch fobs! Well, Lord Lyndock would not find her an easy bird to pluck! She set her mind to lead him on and throw him over, as he had done so many before her...even if it broke her foolish heart!