Xavier Falconer, Earl of Kittleton has been trying to send himself to oblivion by drinking himself to death. Inheriting a much encumbered and diminished estate, he can see no way out of his debts. Then he is rudely woken by the arrival of a mysterious veiled lady accompanied by her gigantic henchman. The lady who names herself as Celestina Blighton offers to pay his debts and restore his estate, if he will marry her and give her an heir. Celestina has reasons she is not prepared to reveal to Xavier.Xavier wants to make something of their marriage of convenience but as they grow together, there are complications neither of them expected.Prologue contains low heat sex scene; some low key marital sex in rest of book