Patience Creighton has devoted herlife to running her father's boarding school. But when the enigmatic master ofthe estate appears at her door, battered and unconscious, the young headmistresssuddenly finds her livelihood--and her heart --in the hands of one dangerouslyhandsome gentleman.At twenty-five, Patience Creighton isalready a spinster. The busy headmistress of Rosemere always expected a dashingman to sweep her off her feet and take her away . . . but that man never came.And since her father's death, keeping the school running and her mother happyhas been plenty to keep her occupied.William Sterling dallied his way intofinancial trouble and mortal danger. When he is assaulted by his creditors'henchmen on the road home from a tavern, he guides his horse to the doorstep ofhis tenant, the Rosemere School for Young Ladies. After being tended to byPatience, the wounded William rides off into the dawn--but makes a point tolearn more about the lovely headmistress.As he spends more time at Rosemere,something delicate begins to develop between William and Patience. But thatwill not deter William's creditors. With little money to repay his debts, andless for the upkeep of his estate, it becomes clear that sacrificing Rosemeremay be the only way to preserve his legacy. But it may also cost him hishappiness.