Lord James Flemington has never taken life—or love—too seriously. A charming rake with a scandalous reputation, he's more interested in laughter than legacy. But when he is sent to the mysterious royal court of Warydeval, a city of secrets and seductive games, James is forced into a dangerous masquerade: win the favour of the court, marry a noblewoman, and play the part of a true gentleman—or lose everything.

Enter Lady Darla Lockwood, a masked songstress with a hidden name and a voice that enchants even the most cynical of hearts. But Darla is not who she claims to be. Behind her haunting melodies lies a noblewoman fleeing an unwanted betrothal—and a past that could unravel James's world.

As court intrigues deepen and music stirs long-buried memories, James finds himself entangled in more than just a romantic farce. When truths begin to surface and loyalties are tested, the man who once only played at love may find that his heart—and his fate—are no longer his to command.

In a realm where nothing is as it seems, can a lord who lives behind a smile discover the courage to stand for love, even if it means giving up the game?