Viscount William Chattsworth's circumstances have been drastically reduced after his father, the earl, mysteriously disappears. Thinking to make the most of the distant familial connection, he seeks an audience with the duke. Distracted by the raised voices coming out of the duke's upstairs study, Lady Calliope Harrington pauses at the top of the stairs to listen. The viscount storms out of the study and barrels into Lady Calliope, catching her before she falls. The duke rushes out of his study and sees Lady Calliope in the viscount's arms, and immediately demands his cousin marry Calliope to save her reputation. The viscount is saddled with a bride-to-be and is on shaky terms with his benefactor, the duke. Calliope is about to marry a man who is blinded by envy and desperately in search of an heiress. Living apart, the couple slowly realize the instant attraction they had felt on Hogmanay has only grown stronger. Will the viscount let go of the crippling envy that keeps him from seeing the inner strength beneath Calliope's quiet beauty and come to love her? Will Calliope learn to trust the viscount and finally find her true place in life-at the viscount's side? Contains mature themes.