As war looms in Spanish California, Sorina Braithwaite, rebellious granddaughter of a prominent ranchero, has her own battle to fight. Desperate to escape an arranged marriage to a man she despises, she threatens to expose an American spy unless he helps her flee. Lt. Lance Grainger, intrigued by her audacity as much as her beauty, knows if Sorina disappears, her arrogant fiance will follow, thus distracting him from the insurgency he's plotting. But there's a risk. As the son of a man branded a coward, Lance has spent his entire career rebuilding his family's honor. If he's thought to be a deserter, his honor will be in shreds.As the declaration of war nears, Lance and Sorina set out on a journey of danger and intrigue, but both soon discover their hearts may be in the greatest peril of all.