John Fitzhugh Wyckerly (Fitz, to his friends) has supported himself for years using his wits and well-honed card skills. Suddenly saddled with his family's vast estates, and an even vaster mountain of debts, he finds himself in need of much more money than can be won at the tables. Tempting as it is to simply fake his death and allow Cousin Geoff to inherit, he has a greater responsibility these days in the form of the small, grubby result of a youthful indiscretion. He hopes to raise her with pride in the family name; or at least raise her with love of family. He decides he needs a wife. The wealthy daughter of a London merchant would do nicely, as long as she came with a huge dowry and wouldn't mind a ready-made daughter.

Abigail Merriweather wasn't well dowered, or, indeed, dowered at all; but she was in need of a man. After the death of her father, she was left to raise her four half- siblings on her own until the courts decided they lacked male influence. They removed them from Abigail's care to place them with wealthy strangers, leaving her heartbroken. Abigail will seek any method to bring home those she loves. Marriage to a responsible, clever solicitor would do nicely as a start.

Patricia Rice has given the "Wicked Wykerly" and Abigail a huge challenge to overcome. How is Fitz supposed to woo one of the plentiful but plain debutantes when his heart lies with Abigail? But his duty to his daughter and the estate must come first. On Abigail's part, she cannot deny the strong attraction Fitz's kindness (and well-honed frame) holds for her, but the courts would not consider a card sharp as a guiding influence for her brood of children, and they must take precedence to her own happiness. The journey taken to untangle all the impediments to their shared future makes this a solid entry in this first of the Rebellious Sons series. Spiced with Rice's deft humor and steamy love scenes, it was a joy and pleasure to read.