Mr. Thomas Totton’s life has never been easy, but when he’s called upon to help a lady in distress, he uncharacteristically decides to employ her as his housekeeper. Even as he falls under her spell, he’s fully aware that she’s hiding things, and that at some point there will be a reckoning.

After being forced from her home Elinor Smith is grateful to have finally met a man of integrity. She is happy to remain incognito, but her foolish decision to attend a Christmas party, and a meeting with an irascible viscount lead to her unmasking. Can she salvage her relationship with Mr. Totton or will circumstances beyond her control tear them apart?