Eliza Hunstburry's hand in marriage was lost by her father in a card game with Count Chanticleer. The Count needed a wife before he count inherit his family's fortune, a stipulation his mother put in the will to force her woman-hating son to marry. Eliza is made to endure marriage to a man as little more than his prisoner. He has no intention of giving her children, affection, or even the basic necessities. Thank goodness he has the good sense to die abruptly after only three years of marriage. Unfortunately the circumstances of his death, and her own father's death make it look as though Eliza might be a murderess. Eliza really just wants to forget her past and persue something new with a handsome and horseman. But it is a bit diffcult to embark on a new romance when you're being blackmailed by the coroner and pursued in ALL the senses by a young detective. The novel is one part tragedy, two parts comedy, three parts steamy romance and sprinkled with several large dashes of murder and mystery. If you enjoy a novel that keeps you coming....ahem..back for more, and constantly guessing, this is the one for you.