Lyla Foster She can't reconcile her fate, betrothed to Dorian Price, who happens to be the richest - and in her opinion, least desirable - man in town. She doesn't expect to find love at her status, but she doesn't feel she is asking too much in wanting a say in her own future. Dorian has devilish habits that Lyla feels will make her future unbearable, but she can't make her father, the town doctor, see that a man like Dorian will break her spirit. Perhaps a visit to the tannery can make the difference... Dillon Matthews He came to town to prosper in his own business, but so far, the upper crust walks all over him, and the middle class spreads rumors of a rakish and rebellious nature. And he's ready to give them what they want, until he meets Lyla. Instantly, he recognizes the nature of the man she's being forced to marry and wants nothing more than to smash his perfect nose for the way he treats women. But that isn't the way to get into anyone's good graces. When a defiant young woman desperate to save herself from becoming a shell of a person finds herself falling for a man beneath her station who can't seem to mind his own business, it just might ruin Dillon's business, a doctor's practice, and Lyla's reputation, emotions and reason must be weighed to determine whether a prosperous or happy future is more important.