Isobel Redmayne is an orphan and a thief. After her father died, her stepmother lavished attention on her own daughters and neglected Isobel. When Lady Redmayne gave her daughters Isobel’s late mother’s jewelry, something had to be done. Isobel developed a talent as a pickpocket to reclaim what was hers by right. Unfortunately, her remedy was discovered, and her reputation suffered. No one wanted to marry such an unnatural creature. The Earl of Drayton visits Redwing Hall to purchase a silver presentation box, another part of Isobel's legacy. The conflict that follows reveals her stepmother's plan to marry her off before her twenty-first birthday. Isobel flees her home, carrying the box to safety, with the earl in pursuit. Lord Drayton’s desire to collect the presentation box conceals a keen interest in its hidden contents. He finds Isobel and promises to keep her hidden until the day she turns twenty-one and can control her dowry and inherit her mother's legacy. She’s grateful for his assistance, while he believes that her unique ability will help him succeed in a secret mission. They embark on an unusual journey together, each intent on their objective, but diverted by the growing attraction between them.
