Twist legend into truth . . . Regency England is ruled by the Round Table and a favored few wield the legacy of Merlin.

To most of the guests, it’s a relaxing country house party. But military plans have been stolen. They must be recovered before they are sold to foreign agents.

Clandestine magician, espionage expert, and heir to a duke, Lord Richard Brinston is the perennial hero. It is his job to recover the stolen plans, using any or all of his skills. No surprise, Brinston works alone.

Also born to the privileged class but with a puka heritage, Martha Dunsmore is determined to find the missing document. Brinston is her angel after he saves her from a smuggler’s attack, but now he says she should be sewing instead of searching. Martha has endless courage entwined with more than enough audacity to make her displeasure clear to the infuriatingly top-lofty Brinston.

This provoking chit thinks he is arrogant? Not hardly. It might be a house party, but on a mission for the government, Brinston has no time for dalliance or games. When he ignores her, Martha is vastly irritated by his indifference. She mocks and challenges him. Convincing her that espionage should be left to the male pushes his patience, if not his magic, to the limit.

Can this pair ever see eye to eye? Somehow, they must come together to trap a thief before madness becomes murder and treachery becomes treason. Then there is the small matter of hearts entwined...