Leorah Langdon does not have any persistence for Regency culture’s shallow hypocrisy and needless rules, especially for women. She’s motivated to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for any loveless union like her parents—or wedding ceremony a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance achieving in the countryside prospects to Leorah and Withinghall being uncovered in his overturned carriage—only and after dark—the ensuing gossip may pressure them together. Withinghall provides his known reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished inside a duel along with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become excellent minister.

He certainly does not have any time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two find that Withinghall’s trainer “incident” was no such point: the vehicle was sabotaged. Can the culprit be taken to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her status, his political profession—and his existence.