Annabelle Carruthers could only dream of being kissed by such a dashing man as Lord Darkwood. For she herself was locked in misery--married to a rake who drank and gambled their lives into financial and social ruin. His sudden death--and rumors of spies and treachery--only made matters worse. Burdened with his gambling debts, Annabelle feared she was on her way to the poorhouse. What else could she do but offer herself as mistress to Lord Darkwood! Darkwood, however, was too much of a gentleman to take advantage of a lady such as Annabelle. Still, he was quite interested in rumors of her husband's espionage--a curiosity that would soon place them both in grave danger....