~ Julia is a young wealthy widow formerly living alone on her estate. As she contemplates a letter from her newest suitor, William, the talented artist under her employ stares at her in agony. Though she is haughty and self-involved, he knows that she has fallen for him. He has also known from the day he began painting her portrait that he was falling for her as well. Yet, she toys with him, involves herself in petty social intrigues, and plays the flighty mistress as she uses him to impede the steady barrage of dishonest men courting her to gain access to her inheritance.
She wants for nothing, especially not a man controlling her and her fortune, but it amuses her to trifle with a selection of them.
...Those who flatter well or are soft on the eye. All the while the artist who has been residing near and dear is the only one who makes her heart flutter. It is a frightening feeling for her, for she did love her deceased husband and she never wants to feel the weight of heartbreak from losing someone like that ever again. Hardheaded and hearted, will she soften to his entreaties before it's too late? ~