Elizabeth Adams, a former maid of the evil sin collector, Frederick Dodsworth, is sent to the isolated town of Ravenston to be the servant of notorious duke Nicholas Wellington—nicknamed "The Beast" because of his bad temper and scars that have disfigured him from a fire. Nicholas makes a deal with Mr. the name of the person who set the fire in exchange for making Elizabeth's week at Ravenston a living hell. After seeing what he's capable of, Nicholas fears he has truly become the beast he is rumored to be and tries to make the consequences of his horrible actions up to Eliza-beth somehow. Spending time with her causes feelings he'd long forgotten, and he finds himself falling for the gently beauty. He can't let that happen, however, because he has to know who set the fire. He has to know who to punish. And he has to atone for his part in his wife's death. Years old lies are revealed. Secrets are uncovered. And one man has to choose between the family he desires and the revenge he's waited so long for. After all, a beast is always a beast.