'Tis the season...for revenge.
Eleven years ago, during Christmas, Martin Banks' family was thrown into the streets by wealthy landlord Edwin Hartwell. Now, this holiday season, Fate has handed Martin an unexpected gift. Vengeance. Defeating Hartwell at cards gives Martin the chance to financially ruin the man—but, damn, instead of money, Hartwell offers his daughter as payment. And, double damn, Martin stupidly accepts. How did retribution turn into seduction? Martin refuses to let himself fall in love, so there must be rules to this game.
And perhaps a bit of romance.
Desperate to save her father from ruin, Livvy Hartwell agrees to accompany Martin as his paramour. She long ago accepted that a penniless bluestocking like herself had no chance for a well-suited marriage. If a few passionate months with a man like Martin is all she'll ever have as far as romance, it's an opportunity she will take. But she must guard her heart. He might be handsome as the devil and tempting as sin, but she can't be a typical mistress and doesn't want Martin to call her such. In fact, she has a list of rules.