Two beautiful sisters — one an illegitimate governess, the other a celebrated debutante — compete for love amidst the scandal and intrigue of a Regency London Season.
Lissa Hazlett lives life in the shadows. The beautiful, unacknowledged daughter of Viscount Partington earns her living as a drudge to the social-climbing Lamonts while her vain and spoiled half-sister, Araminta, enjoys London's social whirl as its most feted debutante.
When Lissa's rare talent as a portraitist brings her unexpectedly into the bosom of society — and into the midst of a scandal involving Araminta and suspected English traitor Lord Debenham — she finds an unlikely ally: charming and besotted Ralph Tunley, Lord Debenham's underpaid, enterprising secretary. Ralph can't afford to leave the employ of the villainous viscount much less keep a wife but as an accepted member of the ton, he can help Lissa cleverly navigate a perilous web of lies that will ensure everyone gets what they deserve.
