With a heavy heart, spirited but low-born Susanna Guthrie agrees to honor the deathbed request of the wealthy young woman who rescued her from a life of poverty. Masquerading as her benefactress, Susanna travels to the Virginia colonies to take the dying heiress' place as head of the sprawling tobacco plantation, Briarwood...and to "marry wisely."Once, the exquisite impostor would have welcomed the attentions of handsome Adam Thornton. But now, consorting with a "hired hand" is unthinkable--though the raw, sensual power of the rugged plantation manager leaves Susanna breathless. Driven by a long-held desire for vengeance, Adam is ruthlessly determined to win both Briarwood and its beautiful new mistress--only to be undone by a soul inflamed with passion...and a heart ennobled by love.