A lady who courts scandal
A gentleman whose heart is closed
A masquerade...a secret passion
And being bold enough for love

Lady Rose Talbot has entered and broken no less than four betrothals in the past two Seasons, hoping to finally catch the attention of the man she truly loves. Something horrible happened to her two years earlier that sent her running from Town, and now she fears she is ruined forever by this secret.

Michael Kane, Viscount Darlington, loved Rose for years, and wanted to offer for her when she suddenly left Town. Now she seems completely out of his reach. He tells himself that she is not the one for him but cannot seem to convince his body or his heart. In an effort to put her out of his mind, he makes plans to attend a scandalous masquerade party.

Rose learns of the masquerade and boldly decides to attend. She looks for and finds Michael, but he does not guess her identity through her mask and costume. They share a night of passion, and she believes that is all she will ever have with him.

When gossip of Rose attending the party begins to circulate among the ton, Michael does the only thing he can to protect her. He marries her. But Rose's secrets begin to unravel even as she longs to tell Michael the truth.

Will Michael set aside his suspicions for Rose's love?

Or will the pain of her past prevent their future?