Penelope Creed will do anything to avoid marrying her repulsive cousin. Dressed in boy's clothing, she's fleeing from London when she's discovered by Sir Richard Wyndham, himself on the verge of the most momentous decision of his life. When Sir Richard encounters the lovely young fugitive, he knows he can't allow her to travel to the countryside all alone, so he offers himself as her protector. As it happens, at that very moment Sir Richard could use an escape of his own... Praise for Georgette Heyer: "A writer of great wit and style...I've read her books to ragged shreds."—Kate Fenton, "Triumphantly good...Georgette Heyer is unbeatable."—India Knight, "Her books sparkle with wit and style."—