Cecelia Medbourne had not known that an afternoon of wonder and delight could lead to seven years of hardship. She had been a completely innocent young woman, just eighteen, at the start of that afternoon. By its end, her ignorance had been enlightened, and her life had been changed forever. Darius Darton, Viscount Knyckham, had never thought that harm would come to him. In the way of young men, he had thought himself invincible. Seven years of painstaking recovery after a devastating carriage accident had taught him differently. Their paths had crossed once. When they crossed again, under very different circumstances, Darius had no memory of that past afternoon. Cecelia thought that her secret was safe. It was, for a while. Then he remembered. When Cecelia realized he knew her daughter was also his, she feared for their future. Flight was her only response to the danger she believed he presented. But reconciliation was the solution he sought to their problem. There had been magic in their afternoon together. If they can reclaim it, their lives will be enriched. If they cannot, three people will suffer the consequences.