Caroline Halperston is used to the residents of Penarth talking badly about her. How could they fail to, when her own mama spends her days endlessly telling tales of her daughter’s cruelty and wickedness? She has long since been resigned to her fate as neighborhood pariah until an unexpected incident sends her fleeing into arms of Gervaise Langdon, Earl of Atherton, who carries her off to London with him.

Gervaise is very far from being a knight in shining armor, and Caroline absolutely should not trust him, however charming and affable he may appear. One shocking proposition later, and they set up an impromptu household in the attic of a gin palace with a pair of cats for company…

It is not long before Gervaise realizes he has made a severe miscalculation where Caroline is concerned. Has he left it too late, or can he convince her of the sincerity of his feelings before the secrets which would threaten Caroline’s life emerge and engulf her in terrible danger?