Lady Judith Ainsley was young but smart, when she learned of her father's devious schemes. Despite the pain of deception and the illusion of a loving father destroyed, Lady Judith devised safeguards for her protection and independence. She had help: a dear companion, a guardian angel, and a duke whom she could not decide whether to love or hate. Lady Judith took pride in her accomplishments, unaware they threatened to crumble. More secrets are uncovered when she stumbles upon a secret cache of ill-gotten gains and draws the vengeance of foreign villains. Will she choose independence over love? And will Lady Judith forsake her pride and accept help from her enemies? Or risk dying alone?
Major Richard Chadwick is forced to leave behind his commission and the years of fighting Napoleon's armies when he inherits the dukedom from his deceased father, who refused to prepare his son for this outcome. At home, Lord Richard finds disaster and inadequate funds to remedy the situation. As he searches for ways to increase revenue, he uncovers a means to benefit himself while hurting the infuriating, adventurous, reckless woman he is coming to care for. However, before Lord Richard breaks the news, the lady disappears, and everything comes to a standstill while he rushes to her rescue. Will he make it in time? And if he does, will she want him after he reveals the truth?