When Bella Rushdale finds herself fiercely attracted to landowner Lucerne Marlinscar, she doesn't expect that the rival for his affections will be another man. The handsome and decadent, Marquis Pennerley, however, has desired Lucerne for years and when all three are brought together at the remote Lauwine Hall, on the Yorkshire Moors, Pennerley intends to claim Lucerne. At the risk of scandal, the contest leads to a passionate struggle between the highly sexed Bella and the debauched aristocrat. Ultimately it will be Lucerne who will choose the outcome, but his descision is bound to cause outrage and upset somebody's plans.