Lady Charlotte Carpenters brother-in-law has put an infamous brothel owner out of businessyet it is Charlotte who suffers the consequences. Abducted by thugs and held at an inn, she is plotting her escape when shes suddenly rescued by a dashing gentleman. Only afterward does she realize shes seen him beforewith two courtesans! Unwilling to tarry with such a man, Charlotte makes her second escape. But it is too late to repair her reputation . . . A known gossip has spied Charlottes movements, and his report is speeding through the rumor mill. Soon, everyone knows that Charlotte spent the night with Constantine, Marquis of Kenilworth. And everyone agrees the only answer is marriageincluding Constantine himself, his overjoyed motherand his mistress! But Charlottes abductors arent finished with her yet. Now Constantine will do anything to protect the spirited woman he loves and win her heart.