What happens when two people whose elusive hearts fight an indefinable attraction, neither looked for nor desired, dare to dream?

When her fiancé and sister abscond to Gretna Green on her wedding day, Sapphira Beresford longs to escape, to avoid the gossipmongers gloating over her misfortune. Disillusioned, she is determined not to be burnt again, swearing off romance and marriage.

A fortuitous invitation sees her embarking on a journey to Pompeii, where she meets Leofwin Colleville, reclusive marquis, amateur antiquarian, and her host for the duration. Although enamored of the ruins gradually being unearthed and ecstatic to have the opportunity to assist, Sapphira is troubled by her host's attitude, which blows hot and cold. A confirmed bachelor, Leofwin Colleville is happiest surrounded by ancient ruins and would prefer to brave the whole of Napoleon's armies alone than face a lady on the hunt for a husband.

The arrival of an unexpected guest throws his unencumbered existence into turmoil, but the harder he strives to maintain his distance, the more she gets under his skin. Sparks fly, and as Leofwin's truculence undermines Sapphira's already battered confidence, her adventure of a lifetime seems doomed to disaster. Until the day she runs afoul of greedy treasure hunters.

In the aftermath, what was scorned becomes the one thing they crave above all else, but when it comes to the heart, nothing is ever simple.