England, 1192. Lady Reina de Champeney's cerulean eyes gazed with scorn asthey fell upon the golden giant of a man before her. This was the knightRanulf Fitz Hugh, her kidnapper, who was pledged to deliver her into theworst kind of bondage? marriage to the craven Lord Rothwell. But Reina wasno acquiescent girl to accept fate's whim. To save herself from the unionforced upon her, she offered Ranulf a bargain: Become my husband yourself.In exchange for your protection, I will make you a great lord. The nuptialbed was part of the bargain. But Reina believes she is not the kind of womanthat her husband wants. For the passion that consumes them both cannot longbe denied -- even though gravest peril surely awaits them on the heart'strail to a destines and turbulent love.