At the turn of the 20th century, proud Elizabeth purposefully marries elderly William Massey, earl of Shenstone, despite her infatuation with Peter, a Russian aristocrat. The marriage elevates Elizabeth into England's highest social circles, but it isn't until her husband's death that she begins to believe that she may have a future with Peter. Before she can claim Shenstone, her late husband's aggressive nephew, the enigmatic Nicholas Massey, arrives to nab his uncle's title and his land. Nicholas's secret plan is to root out the "Unseen Hand," a ruthless killer who is intent on finding a fortune of stolen Russian jewels, but he is easily distracted by Elizabeth's presence. Nicholas takes advantage of the impoverished widow by proposing that she sleep with him so that she can remain at Shenstone and encourage Peter to propose. A dark and explicit erotic romance that is unfit for the faint of heart, this feisty bedroom drama will please fans of Susan Johnson and Bertrice Small.