Victoria Foster needs a husband. Orphaned, nearly penniless, saddled with an indifferent guardian plus a cousin intent on sabotaging her matrimonial hopes, she cannot afford to be a wallflower. Unfortunately for her, the only man in her path is a stuffy, well-above-her-touch duke. But with every fateful encounter, she glimpses more and more of the lonely, kindred soul behind the duke’s decorous demeanor. Charles Danforth, Duke of Taviston, is seeking a wife. Nothing if not methodical, he determines a set of qualities his future bride must possess—neither love nor passion makes the list. Above all, she must be free of scandal so as not to tarnish the family legacy. Soon enough, though, Taviston’s well-ordered life, impeccable social standing, and not-so-impenetrable heart are in jeopardy. What’s an exceedingly proper duke to do when he finds himself embroiled in a scandal of his own making?

Lord Peyton Danforth—he of the charming smile, cheerful disposition, and hidden resentment of his brother, the Duke of Taviston—appears to live the exhilarating life of a rake. However, his lifelong pursuit of owning his own estate and escaping the long shadow of his brother is drastically altered when he saves a damsel in distress, and then impulsively proposes marriage to her. Lady Tessa Colvin—she of the incomparable looks, headstrong nature, and ruined reputation—has been sorely tried by the men of her world. After being long ignored by her father, kidnapped by ruffians, and threatened by her ex-fiancé, she’s only too willing to escape into marriage with the seemingly heroic Lord Peyton. Alas, neither of them is quite what the other thought. Bound together in wedded misery, this desperate and lonely pair must somehow learn to trust one another enough to combat continued attacks by Tessa’s former fiancé, withstand estrangement from their families, and embrace the love that springs up between them.