Five years earlier Saber, the Earl of Avenall, had won her young fancy, then mysteriously vanished. Now fate reunites them and Ella stands before him: grown, beautiful, seductive. Even as Saber swears never to taint her with his own dark demons, he cannot resist her. Nor can he stand idle while vicious ton gossips set out to ruin her. As their passion grows, so does his inner torment. Yet Ella knows that together they must face society--and each other's secrets--if they are to realize the full bliss of their love.