An unrepentant rogue and a desperate lady… The Viscount of Averstone had made a bet that he would collect a kiss from Lady Adelaide Ducat. Chase didn’t have much honor, but when it came to chasing skirts, he kept his word. Besides, he’d learned long ago that had little else to offer a woman except for a few stolen kisses. But the longer he pursues the little minx, the more he can see that her brave façade hides real danger. Can he leave her to face it alone? Lady Adelaide Ducat hated the Viscount of Averstone with a passion that sang in her blood. The man was a wretch, a rake, a rogue, and so annoying that she’d like to… well, she desperately wanted to… she ought to….kiss him until he begged for mercy. Wait. That wasn’t right. She’s got bigger problems to worry about, like what her scheming mother was planning or how she’s going to care for her dying father. She needs a husband to help her not a rogue who would only distract. So why can’t she stop thinking about how good his lips would taste? Can a single kiss change their minds forever?