Awaiting the Fire — Donna Lea Simpson

Headstrong and independent, Countess Charlotte von Wolfram has no intention of accepting the betrothal her family arranged with Simeon St. Ange, Earl of Wesmorlyn. Their first encounter in a London ballroom confirms it - how could such a cold, priggish man ever understand her family's wild nature?

The failure of their meeting stings the Earl as deeply as Charlotte's beauty alarms him. Wes has worked too long at redeeming the family name to ally himself with a girl or erratic character. But, as Charlotte searches for her half-sister's English mother, he feels compelled to follow her out of the city, discovering that her passion and impetuousness stir him beyond reason - and may put them all in grave danger...