Resigned to a marriage of convenience, tomboy Bel Shaw nevertheless entertains a flirtation with a handsome man by the river-an encounter that could lead to scandal, ruin, and true love.AN OUTRAGEOUS PROPOSALPoor Bel Shaw. Her carefree days of family fun and fishing must come to an end. It is her duty to assure the future prosperity of her large and close-knit family by making a good marriage. To add to her gloom, she is chased from her favorite spot on the river by the handsome and high-handed Nicholas Seymour, who apparently thinks he can buy the beautiful Bel Shaw as well as property. The outrageous bargain he proposes is a dozen kisses for the fish the Shaws have and "stolen and " from his land.But claiming the first kiss has staggering consequences - for Nick, who cannot resist another - and for Bel, whose passionate response will lead to discovery, scandal, ruin ... and the sweetest bargain of all.