A proper lady with a penchant for causing chaos… Lady Madeleine, daughter of the Earl of Castleigh, cannot tolerate one more marriage proposal from a suitor only interested in her dowry. The solution? Elope with a mild-manner, biddable dog breeder who won't try to control her. But she's no sooner in the coach racing to the wedding than everything goes wrong, and she finds her carriage overtaken by the notorious Martingale brothers. One sultry smile from Jack Martingale, Marquess of Blackthorne, and Maddie's plans, not to mention her heart, are in danger.

Meets a troubled lord with a dangerous enemy. Jack Martingale's brother has done it again. Lord Nicholas has angered the wealthy and powerful Duke of Bleven. The duke and his private army is after the Martingale brothers, and Jack, Lord Blackthorne, needs to escape London posthaste. He'd only intended to commandeer Lady Madeleine's coach for a few miles, but he soon finds himself affianced to her cousin Ashley and on the road to Gretna Green.

A mistake by a drunken priest seals their fate. Marriage to Maddie's cousin isn't Jack's first choice, but the blond chit is not a danger to his heart-unlike the passionate, blue-eyed Maddie. As the group sprints toward Gretna Green, their attraction grows. And when a drunken anvil priest accidentally marries Jack to Maddie, Jack is secretly thrilled. But can he convince Maddie he's the right man for her, especially when he refuses to ever fall in love?