Lady Rosamund Davis knows her duty to her family, so she will marry the monster who holds her brother's gambling vows. Why Cosgrove wants her confounds her. Rosamund's only value is her ability to maintain her family's household. Plain, flat-chested and a blue stocking with no dowry is how society views her. Cosgrove, known for his love of beauty, craves debauchery. Innocence does not last long as Cosgrove contaminates the innocent and enjoys watching their descent into hell. Terrified by his promises to break her spirit, Rosamund accepts help from an unlikely ally.

Lord Bramwell John, the second son of a duke, acknowledges his father's low opinion of him by becoming a scoundrel without any redeeming qualities. But the gambling and whoring with no thoughts of others is beginning to bore him. Looking for challenges, Bram overhears his mentor Cosgrove buying a bride. Bram sets forth to see what has caught Cosgrove's fancy. Upon meeting Rosamund, Bram realizes Cosgrove's intention of corrupting the purity and innocence that Rosamund projects. Her plight forces Bram to re-examine his blackened soul. For the first time, he sees himself as others do.

Bram offers Rosamund aid and advice on how to survive a marriage to Cosgrove. Rosamund has few options, so accepts. Their tentative friendship leads to stronger feelings and emotions. However, Bram's attempts to change are met with skepticism and earn him a deadly enemy.

A rogue in need of rescuing and a damsel with the mettle to take on the dismal odds is Ms. Enoch's newest tale in her Notorious Gentlemen series. The menacing villain gives a dark edge to the story as we watch Bram and Rosamund grapple with the transformation that occurs as they fall in love.