American heiress Emilia Highhart literally stumbles when she enters the London marriage mart in hopes of fulfilling her late mother's wish that she find an English husband. Lady Palmerston, her chaperone, maneuvers Emilia through the maze of English rules and etiquette. She directs Emilia toward acceptable suitors and discourages unsuitable ones. One ne'er-do-well, Lord Phillip, slips past and catches Emilia before she tumbles down a staircase. One look into his eyes and Emilia is instantly smitten. After a passionate kiss, she chooses to ignore her chaperone's warning and pursue Phillip. However, at their next meeting, Lord Phillip ignores Emilia, leaving her confused and disheartened.

Devon, Lord Phillip's twin, returns from exile to London to make peace with his dying father. Devon wishes to forget that his father routinely substituted him when Phillip got into trouble. Devon rebelled when he masqueraded as his brother in a duel. Luckily, no one died, but Devon was no longer content to beg for the crumbs of affection he received from his father. Devon's reunion with his father is unsatisfactory, since his father's confusion dooms any reconciliation. When Devon meets Emilia, his trip home is not a total loss. However, society believes Phillip's lies that Devon died after the duel. Once again, Devon becomes the spare.

Confusion reigns as the heir and the spare court Emilia. One moment, Phillip sends her smoldering glances that set her afire, and at the next meeting, he reverts to a cold and despicable man. As Emilia's chaperone watches, she untangles the deception and attempts to ensure true love will succeed.

Maya Rodale debuts with a charming romance enhanced by excellent scenes with the chaperone. Lady Palmerton's devious plotting and her outlandish ploys enliven this delightful Regency.