An independent woman making her come-out . . . A widowed duke seeking a second marriage . . . A love match that is meant to be . . .

Malcolm Ware, the widowed Duke of Waterbury, accepted a marriage of convenience the first time around, which caused him much regret. He attends the Season with his sister Ada, who is making her debut into Polite Society, hoping he will find a lady who can be an acceptable duchess and not bore him to tears. Always the best at everything he's attempted and not used to ever hearing no, Malcolm is stunned when Ada's new friend blithely ignores him.

Lady Euphemia Strong comes from a family known for making love matches. The trouble is, Effie doesn't want to wed at all and is only making her come-out to please her mother. She hopes to make a friend or two during her Season but when it ends, she plans to return to Shadowcrest, her home in Kent, and revert to wearing breeches and tending to her animals, happily unwed.