Alexia Welbourne learned to trust her instincts, so she knew instantly that only trouble would come from this visitor, the handsome and arrogant Lord Hayden Rothwell. What could he want from her cousin, Timothy Longworth, that he demanded he rise from his sickbed to meet him. While born the daughter of a gentleman, Alexia finds out that she is now penniless with no home. Timothy declares he is ruined and blames none other than Lord Rothwell himself! Timothy then tells her that he is taking his two sisters, Roselyn and Irene, to cheaper lodgings but there is no room for her and is abandoning her to find employment or face moral ruin as a "soiled dove". Forced to show Lord Hayden around his "new property", Alexia can't resist slinging verbal arrows his way. Unperturbed by his seemingly callous behaviour to her cousins, he surprises her by offering a position as companion to his Aunt Henrietta and governess to Caroline, his cousin, who is to be launched into society that season. Alexia's pride wants to throw his offer back in his face, but her pragmatic nature and the reality of her situation force her to bit her tongue. Despite Alexis's abhorrence for Hayden, she picks up on certain nuances in his conversations while speaking about her cousins, Timothy and Benjamin, her beloved fiancée, dead these past four-year and a good friend of Hayden's. Seeking answers, she sneaks into the attic to search Benjamin's old trunks. Stunned by what she finds, her heart breaks and she is overcome with grief again. Finding her there, Hayden's attempts to comfort her soon end up in seduction. While having vowed never to marry, Hayden recognizes that Alexis is "well born" and "rothes well" by offering her marriage. But, with this change of fortune, who will win the battle to rule? Can Alexia's quest for love be found in this marriage of shame?

Madeline Hunter has a terrific track record for writing historical and regency novels, and this, her latest book, is bound to exceed her previous successes. She has crafted a hot and saucy romance with an intriguing plot, surprising twists in fortunes, and well-drawn characters whose delightful quirks and witty repartee are sure to captivate. Even this villain will tug your heartstrings!