Widowed Lady Elinor Standon has only one goal -- marry a duke. She seeks marriage to an esteemed gentleman to gain guardianship of her 14-year-old sister from her step- father, who is selling young Tia to the highest bidder for his own gain. Elinor, having had a very disappointing previous marriage, is willing to risk marriage again to aid Tia.

When the widower James Tremont, 9th Duke of Parkerton, enters the Standon residence to do a favor for his brother, Clifton, he receives a black eye. Being mistaken as Elinor's new solicitor hired to help find her a duke, James plays along with the charade. Posing as Mr. St. Maur, Esquire, James becomes embroiled in a web he cannot free himself from as he falls hopelessly in love with Elinor. And Elinor's body becomes enflamed at the mere sight of Mr. St. Maur.

After winning Tia's guardianship for Elinor, James is in a quandary as to how he can reveal the deception of his true identity and win Elinor as his wife. To make matters worse, his staff fears James has turned as "mad" as his ancestors and are blindsiding him to prevent a new mistress.

Elizabeth Boyle has created a most tantalizing and extremely entertaining story in a weave of deception that takes an unexpected twist. The storyline is quite amusing and filled with colorful antics by both Elinor and James. I completely fell in love with the characters and the story end came all too quickly.