Ready or not, the Honorable Maxwell Darby and his younger brother Tristram must brave the glittering world of London Society to hunt for heiresses, lovely or not. Scurrilous rumors abound: can it be true that their father, Lord Tavistoke, lost the family fortune in a card game? And is the Marquis of Cravenwell, a notorious gambler, behind the artful scheme to marry off Tavistoke's sons to the highest bidders? But Maxwell will have none of it, for his heart has been stolen by a certain young lady who is as spirited--and as penniless--as he: Kate O'Connor, the beautiful, red-haired daughter of an Irish horse trainer.

But Kate won't even kiss him--she knows only too well that Maxwell Darby must and will marry for money. His ardent attentions are nothing more than a passing fancy, but she sees no reason to deny herself the innocent pleasure of his company. Her reputation? Well, that is no one's concern but her own...until the handsome young nobleman makes a startling confession. And Kate discovers that her most cherished dreams may be about to come true...