Charlotte Augusta Butterworth might be all manners and starch on the surface, but Reed Walker knew that inside there was a woman of passion and fire. She saved this handsome stranger from the gallows. He couldn't just walk away, no matter how much she protested to the contrary. Reed wanted to give her back her life as she had given back his. He needed to show her there was more to living than hurt, mistrust, and disappointment. So he gave her his love. But he couldn't promise her his future.