Known as The Despicable Earl, Lord Noah Acton has one of the most wretched reputations in all of England. A rakehell of the worst sort, there is no merry widow he won’t flirt with and no courtesan he won’t bed. However, Noah, now the Duke of Springford, has a dark secret he’s kept hidden for years. A secret that has nearly corrupted his soul and could destroy him completely if it ever comes to light. Lady Priscilla Trew has been in love with Noah since they were children. However, after her birthday ball, it’s become clear to her that Noah will never be hers. Fleeing to the Lake District, Cilla hopes to enter into a contract marriage with a half-Scottish, half-English viscount and hopefully forget how much she still loves a man who will never marry her. When Noah follows Cilla to the north, she quickly learns that getting over a man she’s loved all of her life isn’t nearly as easy as she believes, especially when he’s right there in front of her! Can Cilla and Noah find their way to the altar or will his secrets condemn him to a life alone and force her into a loveless marriage with a man who isn’t quite as charming as he appears?