After an officer gives his life to protect vital evidence, his four closest friends race to England to finish his mission ...Colonel Derek Delborough feels nothing but relief when his ship finally docks in Southampton. After two assassination attempts, he is now days away from his final destination. But Derek knows he is far from danger - which makes the appearance of Miss Deliah Duncannon an unwelcome intrusion. Derek wants nothing more than to get rid of the intriguing woman, but before he can press his case, she narrowly saves his life. Deliah knows she now has the upper hand - necessary when dealing with the stubborn, but exceedingly enticing, colonel. Now that she is also a target of Derek's enemies, the two race against time to reach the safety of the Cynster country house. Both know that the growing passion between them could be an unwelcome distraction, but the stolen moments are hard to resist. Deliah's natural instinct is to shut herself off, but now that she's met a man who breaks through all her defences, will she be willing to throw her heart in the ring?...