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Pascal Devonshire, Earl of Walsea, is on the point of marrying Lady Allegra Bardolph, thus ensuring that he conforms with the terms of his father’s will. In engaging the beautiful heiress’s affections, Pascal becomes the envy of his friends. So why does he feel like a condemned man?

Upon her return to England from Ceylon, society closes ranks against Ophelia Montague, blaming her for her father’s misdemeanours. Her childhood friends Lady Allegra and Cassie Lambert remain loyal, insisting that Ophelia accompanies them to Devonshire Hall for a house party, at the end of which Allegra’s engagement to Lord Walsea will be announced.

Pascal and Ophelia are drawn to one another by passions that defy all reason, but the attraction is surely doomed. If Pascal doesn’t marry a lady with a spotless reputation, he will forfeit the Devonshire fortune and be unable to support his sisters. Can he find a way to salvage Sir Frederick’s reputation? And even if he can, what of his undertaking to marry Lady Allegra…