They say reformed rakes make the best husbands. They were wrong.

Ten years ago, Tabby Russell married the man of her dreams, but when he returns to his dissipated habits, she realizes too late that there’s no going back on her wedding vows. Penniless and desperate, Tabby has no other choice but to become a lowly housekeeper and nurse to an irritating and overbearing sailor.

Captain Graham Ashbrook adores the navy, but when a French cannonball leaves him broken, Graham finds himself trapped at his sister’s estate, desperate to heal himself and reclaim the life he loves—at any cost.

But when his sister hires an intriguing nurse to watch over him, Graham finds himself wondering if life on land might not be so bad. Even if the lady in question is determined to keep him at arm’s length…