Taking chances isn't something Lydia Bell is used to. She had always left that up to the confident and adventurous characters in her books. Well, before her best friend, Ann, insisted that Lydia get her nose out of her silly little romance novels and start living life to the fullest. At the yearly Christmas Ball, she agrees to a wager that would seize the constant urging of her friend. She has to find her real life Romeo and kiss him before the night is over. There's only one problem . . . she's never been kissed. Benedict Harper: tall, handsome, and debonair. The town rebel and, not to mention, Lydia's childhood crush, is her target. Following him outside, under the cover of darkness, she makes her move. There is no denying the burning desire they feel during the kiss. But, once she makes her identity known, she doesn't quite get the reaction she was hoping for. Returning to the ball, the two are spotted and the gossip about the scandal burns throughout the town. Taking destiny into her hands that night was a big mistake and Ben is urged to leave town. For ten years Lydia is pained with guilt and wonder. That's until she runs into a dashing naval captain who leaves her, once again, breathless . . . her Benedict Harper.