It had been five years since Guy d'Harnoncourt abandoned Contessa Francesca Duci Montaldo for another. But nothing could dim Francesca's passion for Guy, or her hatred for his brother Belden, whom she blamed for ending their betrothal when her family fortunes declined. When Belden d'Harnoncourt rode to Belvedere Castle bearing a wounded Guy, Francesca vowed to heal her faithless lover - and seek vengeance on the brother who tore him from her arms.
Belden, Sire of Harnoncourt, was hired by Tuscan nobles to protect them from French invaders. But no enemy posed greater danger than the beguiling Contessa whose legendary healing was his brother's only hope. Even as Francesca sheltered them from marauders, Belden knew his most perilous battle lay ahead - a battle for intimate possession of the ravishing beauty who held his heart in her hands . . .
