When orphaned half-breed Claire Fortier was thrust into the dizzying heights of Creole society, the proud girl relied on her innate cool-headedness to master her circumstances. How, then, could she let such an insulting roué as Philippe Girard undo her with a mere look from his flashing eyes?

Philippe was a notorious black sheep. The dark, handsome Creole lived life on his own terms--to the extent that his tyrannical father would allow. As a second son, Philippe needed a wife of means. Claire, though she was too tall, too serious--and too resistant to his cultivated charms--was the practical choice...until he fell in love with her.