Book excerpt: A beleaguered viscount is dragged through a hilarious adventure involving gypsies, pirates, and wild animals in an attempt to win the heart of his betrothed. Rhiannon, with her dancing blue eyes and mischievous nature, would rather roll in pigswill than marry a suitor not of her choosing. She bolts from her determined father when she discovers that once again he has arranged for her to marry, this time to the infamous 'dark count', Earl Stanwyck. Her informant, however, heard incorrectly, leaving Rhiannon unaware that her true betrothed is the darkly handsome viscount Jarreth Stanwyck, young nephew of the earl and heir to his entire fortune. Jarreth, also not thrilled with his uncle's arrangement, is leisurely on his way to decline her when a chance meeting at a lake brings the two together. They hide their identities from each other, she posing as a simple peasant, and he pretending to be a lowly knight on a mysterious mission. He instantly falls in love with her playful and independent spirit, as well as her hilarious stories of her past shenanigans. After learning her true identity, he continues his ruse in an attempt to win her heart, only to learn that the best-laid plans can overwhelmingly backfire.