Bespectacled bluestocking Patience Harrington's failure as a debutante happens when her plain speaking and naïveté lands her in one misunderstanding after another. Banished from London by her father until the latest rumors die down, Patience arrives at Blackfield Castle to aid in cataloging the art treasures. She worries that her last misdeed will affect her father's position at the museum. Patience plans to redeem herself by completing the work in an excellent and timely manner. Interfering with her plans are the rumors of monsters surrounding the castle and the dark Lord who presides over the castle.

Thomas Ashe, the tenth Viscount of Blackfield, reluctantly allows his Aunt Caroline to host appraisers for her latest donation to the British museum. Her timing could not be worse as his mysterious project is at a critical point. Always on the lookout for spies and saboteurs, Thomas notices an increase in questionable activities and suspicious accidents. He notes Patience's half-French ancestry and dubious reputation, so Thomas turns on the charm and engages in seduction.

Patience notices Thomas' transformation from tormentor to charmer but does not question the change. Instead, she revels in his attention. For the first time since her undeserved reputation, Patience feels special and cherished. But those feelings come crashing down when reality invades.

Ms. Mallory pens a charming romance filled with Gothic overtones -- the dark, somber castle inhabited by a brooding lord and a heroine determined to reveal the truth behind the strange noises and peculiar events.