London

June 1816

She needed a husband, and she needed one fast.

Choking back a hysterical laugh, Catherine Melbourne glanced over her shoulder at the building she had just left. The sight of the solicitor's office instantly sobered her.

This was not a dream. In the last half hour, she had acquired a grandfather she'd never heard of, and the chance for a legacy that would make all the difference in the world. Instead of having to seek employment that would barely support her and Amy, there would be enough money to live in comfort. There was also an ancient home, an island, a heritage. Her daughter would have the future she deserved. There would be responsibilities as well, but that was all right. Catherine had been bearing heavy responsibilities all her life.

There was only one problem. She must convince her newfound grandfather that she and her husband were worthy of being the next Lord and Lady of Skoal. She felt hysteria rising again, this time without laughter. What could she do?

Her mouth tightened. It was perfectly obvious that she was going to lie. The time to admit that Colin had recently died had been in Mr. Harwell's office. But the solicitor had said bluntly that her grandfather would not consider Catherine as his sole heir. Torquil Penrose, the twenty-seventh Laird of Skoal, did not believe a woman worthy of ruling his island. She would have to find a man to play the role of her husband, and do the job well enough to persuade her dying grandfather to designate her as his heir. But who could she ask?

The answer came immediately: Lord Michael Kenyon.

He had been a good friend, with the vital qualification that he had never fancied himself in love with her. At their last meeting, he had also given her carte blanche to call on him if she ever needed help.