"Plain, lame Ellie Lytton isn't destined for marriage. She's perfectly content being her step-brother's housekeeper...until the high-handed Earl of Hainford arrives with shocking news--her step-brother has been killed. Ellie believes the earl is responsible for her plight and that he is duty bound to escort her on the journey to her new home. But soon Blake's fighting an unwanted attraction to his argumentative companion. And when she needs protection, he determines he'll keep her safe by making Ellie his countess."--Back cover.