Their year-long debate-by-mail was hardly an auspicious beginning: He called her a "raving reincarnation of Susan B. Anthony"; she dubbed him "arrogant, obnoxious, and overbearingly macho." Yet when Shakespeare scholar Torie Clavel finally meets her rival expert, British theatrical director Nick Forsythe, their caustic wit is consumed by quicksilver desire.

In London, Nick turns Torie's tea for two with another scholar into a party for three, then literally stages an elaborate seduction scene-then tries to direct her life as well! But Torie, fully versed in domineering men, refuses to take her cues from Nick, despite his determination to have her...in every sense of the word.