' Smart sexy & oh-so romantic' Mary Balogh Colin Mac Hugh a former officer in Wellington's army is thrust into polite society when his brother inherits a Scottish dukedom though Colin dreads mingling in candlelit ballrooms while matchmakers take aim at his fortune & his freedom He's also not very fond of the drink-gamble-swive-repeat lifestyle of his new gentlemen friends So when offered the opportunity to join the board of directors at the local orphanage he jumps at the chance to put his business acumen to use & to spend more time with the alluring Anwen Windham Anwen is devoted to helping the orphanage regain its financial footing & she's amazed at the ease in which Colin gains the respect of the former pickpockets & thieves at the House of Urchins But when a noble gentleman who wants Anwen for himself accuses Colin of embezzling funds everything is on the line
- the safety of the young boys in their charge their love for each other & even Colin's very life