A young Lady, a too charming Lord, and elegant Duke, an infatuation, a dramatic revelation of dishonourable behavior, a chance for real love. Lady Cordelia Branley, daughter of Baron Tillingford, in London for the first time, is captivated by the charming and talented Lord Edward Fitzhugh, son of the Earl of Bolton. But her chaperone, Miss Millpost, is not so convinced of the young Lord's character. Lord Edward Fitzhugh makes a point of charming everyone - especially young Ladies with sizable dowries - and of winning at cards with remarkable frequency. He also makes a point of not answering questions about his life - with a degree of secrecy that raises questions in the minds of many. Philip Canterwood, Duke of Rotherhithe, is set in his ways as a widower - until the request of his dying friend, Baron Tillingford, for help to ensure that the man, with whom his daughter is infatuated, is not a cad. Once he begins to look into it, everything changes... Is Lord Edward as charming and pleasant as he seems? Or does something more sinister hide behind his carefully presented polish? Will Lady Cordelia find true love in the end? Or will she be blinded by charm with no substance? And will the Duke allow himself to love again?