This is the second book in the world of the Charrington Chronicles, in which old friends from The Fencing Master's Daughter might be met again. Devastatingly handsome Sebastian, Marquis of Farndon, awaits a lady, a present from his best friend Stephen for his thirtieth birthday. Alicia Lambert fleeing from a forced marriage is shown into his room by mistake. Inebriated from celebrating his return to England, Sebastian disbelieves her protests and is initially reluctant to let her escape. Alicia is glad to get back to her own room unravished. Meeting Sebastian later in London, Alicia is relieved he does not recognise her. But when he pursues her and proposes marriage, she doubts his feelings for her are real. Sebastian, who has fallen in love, wants to protect Alicia from the machinations of the blackguard, Major Mallinder, as he fears for her life and that of her aunt, Maud. The question remains as to whether Sebastian’s natural intelligence is enough to deal with the ruthlessness of Alexander Mallinder.