Haunted by tragedy and scandal, Thea Garrett guards her wounded heart by playing the role of notorious outcast for all it is worth, never giving a second thought to love. Then London's loveliest, wealthiest social pariah meets the brooding handsome Patrick Blackburne, a man protecting wounds of his own - until he lays eyes on the remarkable Miss Garrett. Suddenly, Blackburne is willing to foreswear his famously wicked ways. But Thea can't take any man at his word, least of all Blackburne. Only a vicious circle of blackmail and murder that threatens to destroy them both can make her face her pent-up passion and hidden longings - and set them free...