Chelle despises Mr. Bancroft, founder of a competing school for young ladies. Already he’s lured away two teachers and seems intent on bringing ruin upon her school, all while the headmistress is away. Though Chelle has never met the man, the few missives they’ve exchanged have told her exactly the sort of person he is: a complete blackguard. When the pair encounter each other as strangers one evening, they form an instant connection. Intent on romancing Chelle, Mr. Bancroft (whose real name is Sir Miles) eventually learns that she is Miss Ellington—the one teacher he had hoped to lure away. Unfortunately, she’s as loyal to her school as she is unwilling to forgive. Now he must do the impossible—find a way to soften her opinion of Mr. Bancroft while keeping her from despising Sir Miles.