A scarred rake determined to avoid all responsibility. One night of gaming to change both of their fortunes. No good deed goes unpunished. Riddled with debt after her husband's death, Lady Vandestile spent years rebuilding her life-a life free of any entanglements with men that would only betray her. But pity has its place. And after fronting funds to the wayward brother of her dearest friend, Lady Vandestile wakes in the morning to find Lord Alton has lost an enormous sum-enough to threaten the very existence of her exclusive gaming house. Enough to threaten her future. A future she once thought never to have. Demanding payment, or at least a guarantee to use against a loan, Violet is forced to corner the rake-or risk losing the only security she has in life. He lost her money. And he did it callously, without a care. Violet had plenty, after all. And Theo had none. Never mind that he once would have moved heaven and earth for her. But that was before. Before the war marred him for life. Before he turned into a monster. One disastrous night of gaming could change both of their fortunes. As a third son, Violet had always been far out of Theo's reach. Inheriting the earldom and its destitute estate had done nothing to change that fact. But as their lives unexpectedly entwine, danger rears, and Theo and Violet must gather the strength to not only move on from the past, but to surrender to the demands of their hearts.