SHE'S GOT A KNACK FOR TROUBLE—AND IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS…

At twenty-seven, free-spirited Rowena Brown has never fit in anywhere not with her ambitious family, not at veterinary school and certainly not in any relationship she's ever had. But surely the good people of Whitewater, Illinois, will welcome a pet-store owner whose talent is finding the perfect home for "problem" animals, even if they do have names like Destroyer.

A wallflower who trips through life…

Lady Elizabeth Ashbrook is something of a klutz. Only this time the quiet, bookish young lady has literally fallen directly into the path of none other than the notoriously rakish Earl of Darington.

When an accidental encounter appears rather compromising, Lady Elizabeth does what any sensible young lady would, and declares they are engaged.

◆Desire is seeded and attraction blooms where it is strictly forbidden◆

The Knight:

Sir Rook Blake has seen his twin sister fall in love with someone from below the salt and swears he will never make that mistake. As the eldest son of Lord Corbett Blake, Rook is betrothed to a lady he's never met and expected to produce noble heirs. To his dismay, his betrothed has a reputation for being demanding, snobby, and hard to please.

Rook has just acquired his own manor, but the grounds are in disrepair. The garden needs to be transformed for the wedding before his haughty betrothed arrives. Hiring a master gardener seems like a good idea, until he realizes the gardener has sent his daughter, Primrose in his place. On a strict timeline and with no other choice, Rook accepts her help but doesn't believe the girl can give him what he wants or needs.