She excels at everything-especially at capturing his heart.

Philip Townsend is too busy trying to render his estate profitable to worry about managing its rundown house or finding a woman suited to the role of his wife. His beautiful and competent neighbor Honoria would be the logical choice, were it not for the enmity between their fathers that makes such a thing impossible.

Honoria Bassett takes pride in a household well run and cannot understand why her dear neighbor won't make more of an effort at his. When it comes to the choice of husbands, she is too certain of what she wants to consider Philip for the role. But his tendency toward quiet acts of heroism, and those firm lips quirked upward in a grin, keep doing strange things to her heart.

When challenges appear in their individual lives, Philip and Honoria turn to one another for guidance. Now in constant company, the strength of their feelings makes them question whether mere friendship is enough. But even if they decide they might suit, how in the world will they convince Honoria's father to agree?