Baron Rothewell leads a self-destructive lifestyle; drinking, whoring, and gambling. Even knowing that he may be cutting his life short, he continues terrorizing his servants and worrying his few remaining family members. His guilt over past behavior drives him to seek his own destruction.

Until one night, when he is gambling with the dregs of society and a young woman is offered as part of the pot. Camille Marchand reminds him of someone else. Her dilemma tugs at the few heartstrings he has left; despite his desire not to be involved, he joins the game and takes her home.

Camille Marchand has never known the true identity of her father. While the Comte Valigny claims her, her mother was married before running away with Valigny. Now, her mother is dead and she discovers some papers which offer a hope she never had before; a hope for a new life without poverty, if she can only find an English gentleman to marry her.

She comes to London but finds that the Comte is not accepted into society. She is not able to meet a man who will wed her until the night of the game with Baron Rothewell. Baron Rothewell rescues her and takes her to his cousin until he and Camille can decide if they will wed.

As Rothewell learns more of Camille, he finds himself drawn to her but the status of his health is a concern that makes him reluctant to offer marriage.

Events lead them inexorably to marriage with both of them resolving to keep their heart intact. Life has a way of gumming up the works. Camille finds that marriage is much more interesting than she could have imagined. She and Rothewell will have to overcome many obstacles which keep them from complete happiness.

While the plot is nothing new, the harshness of the life lead by the Baron, his brother and sister growing up brings a sympathy for a man who would seem to deserve none. I found Camille to be the most interesting character even though the ghosts that drove the Baron were attention grabbing.

One little sub-plot thrown in at the last moment didn't really add much to the story, in my opinion and I was a little disappointed to see it brought in.