When Sebastian Townshend, heir to the Earl of Edgewood, unintentionally kills his friend Giles in a duel, he is disowned by his father and leaves England, vowing never to return.

Eleven years later, the Earl's ward, Lady Margaret Landor, seeks his help after her guardian suffers a series of near-fatal accidents. She is shocked to discover Sebastian living in France as a notorious mercenary, the Raven. Only when she agrees to his outrageous monetary demands will he go back to England - posing as her husband in order to avert suspicion.

Strong-willed Margaret and bitter Sebastian clash at every turn, but against all odds a fierce passion begins to bloom. And when he learns that she cannot afford to pay his fee, he suggests a scandalous trade…