Nichola Hainesworth's desperate mother enrolled her at the Academy to master the fine art of marrying well. But Nichola has other plans. At first, she intends to escape. But soon she is drawn to the school's scandalously unorthodox fencing lessons...and its irresistibly arrogant instructor. A wounded war hero, Lord Brian Boru makes Nichola's heart race as he guides each thrust and parry. His rakish reputation would make her mother swoon, but Nichola sees beyond the Scotsman's fierce facade to the guarded heart beneath. And while the cardinal rule of swordplay is never to let one's heart overrule one's head, Nichola Hainesworth is about to learn that most rules are made to be broken!