For many years, Desiree has known only thievery.  Her mentor, an old man who trained her in the art of stealing, has been her only friend.  Now, he is dead - at the hands of Nicholas Grimshaw.  Desiree vows Grimshaw will pay for hanging an innocent man.  Her plans to kill the fearsome lawman come to naught, however, when he catches her in his cottage.  Now, shackled and in fear of her life, she awaits the verdict that could mean she too will have her neck stretched in death.

Nicholas knows he is no prize.  Women fear his nature because of what he does for a living.  The only physical comfort he has is when he pays his hard earned coin for a night of release.  When Desiree steals into his home and tries to murder him in his sleep, he is astounded; the petite female with a healthy set of lungs and the mouth of a dockside sailor isn't frightened of him.  Her sensual looks, the almost innocent look in her eyes and the way she captivates his cat have Nicholas wanting to spend more time with his beautiful death-threat.

Both Nicholas and Desiree formulate a bargain.  She will stay with him a few days until the weather clears, and he will not turn her in for attempted murder.  Together, they probe the reasons behind her adopted grandfather's hanging and then weather the aftermath of their search in this extraordinary historical.