Businessman Carlo Carlucci won't take no for an answer. The passionate Italian has set his sights on British tour guide Francesca Bernard, who stirs him with her beauty and innocence more than any other woman...

But Francesca is also an heiress, and already engaged to a man whom Carlo believes is a gold-digger. There's only one way he can protect Francesca - and fulfil his desire - and that's to claim her for himself, as his wife. So begins Carlo's slow, but intense, and incredibly sensual, seduction to persuade Francesca to become his bride...