Lady Phoebe Fairchild is well aware that society is appalled by the idea of a young lady of quality involved in a trade. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so when she decides to start selling beautiful handmade gowns, she does so under a fictitious name: Madame Dupree.

When she is hired to design ball gowns for the sisters of the Viscount of Summerfield, she completely assumes the false identity. Though in low circumstances, Phoebe is still discomforted in her new position as hired help, but that's nothing compared to her visceral attraction to the viscount himself. Dashingly handsome and shamelessly seductive, he invites her to be his mistress and Phoebe is shockingly tempted to accept.

But as their desire for each other grows and the risk of exposure becomes even greater, Phoebe is in dire danger of losing her reputation, her livelihood--and her chance of becoming the bride of the man whose passion has claimed her forever.