A poor seamstress in 1814 London, Tessa's only living relative-her father-has just died, leaving her an inheritance. The problem is, his idea of an inheritance is a stash of stolen jewelry, and a selection of letters containing blackmail-worthy offenses. He might have expected her to take up where he left off, but if she is caught with any of this, her freedom-and possibly her life-will be forfeit.

She needs help. In one of the salacious letters is a name she recognizes and respects, the handsome, wealthy, and titled son of a customer in the shop where she words. That secret gives her the very weapon she needs. If anyone can get her out of this mess, it would be him.

Blake, Earl of Warrenby, knows his responsibilities, and marriage to the beautiful modiste's assistant in his mother's favorite shop is not one of them. That does not prevent him from watching her every chance he gets.

One night that same woman shows up at his house with a shocking tale. She has in her possession a letter belonging to him, his deepest, most shameful secret. Rather than hold it over his head, she gives it back to him on the condition that he find the owners of her father's stolen loot, and return everything to the rightful owners in a way that will never come back to her.

Because if it does, it's transportation to the prison colony in Australia at best, Newgate and possible execution at worse.

Their search begins to open her history, and leads them from the bowels of London to the exclusive enclave of White's, and a mansion in Gloucestershire. Along the way they both find answers they never expected, and a love they never dreamed was possible.