Recently widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring intend to conceive. In the end, if she’s an heir along the way, her potential will be guaranteed. Forsaking all she understands of propriety, Martha methods her neighbor, a London exile having a wicked popularity, and will be offering a totally business proposition: per month of illicit interludes . for the charge.Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how do he withstand this siren in widow’s weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously appealing to decline? Driven she’ll get her money’s well worth, Theo efforts to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty towards the pleasures from the flesh-only to find her dead arranged against acquiring any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can’t resist him forever. But could a lady’s nice surrender open up their hearts to the most unpredicted arrival of most . . . love?