Lady Charlotte Hastings-already branded a hellion by polite society-is in a terrible scrape courtesy of London's most notorious blackguard. One thing is certain: her name cannot appear in the gossip rags... again. However, Charlie's bold attempt to extricate herself from the fine pickle she's in takes an unexpected turn when the devilishly handsome Maximilian, the Duke of Exmoor-the rakehell she's secretly loved for years-comes to her aid.

Upon discovering the irrepressible Lady Charlotte-his best friend's younger sister-is in danger, Max Devereux feels duty bound to offer assistance. Only he soon realizes he's also mired in deep trouble when an entirely inconvenient desire for Charlie sparks to life. If that's not enough to contend with, Max's manipulative mother is busily engineering his betrothal to a perfectly polished debutante. A hardened rake with an armor-plated heart, Max has absolutely no intention of becoming leg-shackled to anyone. At least not this Season.

When unforeseen disaster strikes plunging Charlie and Max headlong into a new public scandal, Max proposes a deal: to restore Charlie's good name and to help Max avoid his mother's machinations, they'll enter a temporary engagement-of-convenience. But even the best laid plans can go awry. As passion flares between Max and Charlie, their arrangement doesn't seem like make-believe anymore... and hidden enemies intent on ruining Charlie once and for all, are waiting in the wings. Will a happily-ever-after ever be within their reach?