APRIL NIGHTINGALE wants the best for her swans, Gerald and Daphne, which is why she won’t rest until they mate for life. It would have happened by now if not for Gerald’s absurd penchant for the neighbor’s pond. But when April trespasses on the Derring lawns to reclaim her fowl, a fouler surprise awaits… As does a tall, handsome neighbor who can’t hold back his laughter at her folly.


LEOPOLD DERRING was not expecting this today: a swan thief in his pond. Trespassers are not much tolerated, but this one’s story is too amusing not to hear. And her gap-toothed, mischievous grin? Too enticing. But being her rescuer for a day was never going to be enough, and her swan—Gerald, was it?—might be the very thing to lure her back.


GERALD THE SWAN does as he pleases and paddling about on the Derring pond pleases him very much. Unfortunately for him, the twits who “own” his ponds are incapable of declaring affection through any means but swan theft and are in need of a graceful pawn.