With a threat of civil war, Laird Cameron, Chieftain of the MacCormac Clan agrees to an alliance with Sir Alexander, an English baronet. He accepts the baronet's daughter as payment in exchange for his protection against a band of murdering thieves terrorizing the Highland's southern border. However, on his way to retrieve his betrothed, Cam and his army are attacked, and he's severely wounded and expected to die. Lady Adriana is averse to her younger sister marrying the notorious mercenary. But when she learns the severity of his injuries, she seizes the opportunity to escape her cruel father by taking her sister's place and weds the unconscious laird. A deception that could seal her fate and lead to her execution. Should the laird survive his injuries, she fears he will realize she isn't the beautiful young obedient bride her father had promised. If offended by his spinster wife and the scars she carries from her past, he could put her to death or send her back to face her father's harsh punishment. But if her identity is kept a secret from him until she becomes pregnant with his heir, he might let her live to be a nursemaid to the child. For her own salvation and under the cover of darkness, each night she slips into her husband's chambers and seduces him. But how long can she keep this deception alive?