When society reporter Adeline Ellsworth's cousin, a police inspector, is murdered in 1896 San Francisco, she immediately sets out to uncover the truth. This could be her chance to leave frivolous fashion gossip behind for a career reporting on important issues. But her investigation leads to danger—and she wakes up tied to Alec McCairn, Lord Peyton.
In California to set up a new office, the Scottish peer definitely wasn't looking for a romantic entanglement, especially with an independent, opinionated reporter. But he suspects the beguiling Adeline is in over her head and too proud to ask for help. He vows to protect her, no matter how hard she balks.
A widow, Adeline guards her heart carefully and doesn't want Alec ruining her chance to expose this corruption, no matter how attractive or charming he is. But then the main suspect kidnaps her younger brother and demands Adeline's research as ransom. To save him and crack the case, they must work together. But the biggest mystery they end up solving might just be how to capture each other's heart.