Miss Charlotte, the unacknowledged niece of an Earl, is forced to work as a governess after her noble family shuns her for her father's unacceptable marriage. Dedicated and meticulous, she is shocked when she is suddenly dismissed without a reference—punished for rejecting the unwelcome advances of her employer's son.

With no one willing to hire her, Charlotte must accept a position in the one household where no governess dares to stay: that of the devilishly handsome Lord George Ashcroft, London's most notorious rake.

In a home where debauchery reigns and governesses flee, Charlotte stands her ground. She captivates Ashcroft's children—and soon, her courage and spirit captivate the Lord himself.

But as sparks fly between them, Ashcroft's unbreakable rule looms: never seduce a member of the gentry. And with his impending betrothal and a mysterious suitor pursuing Charlotte, time is running out.

Will they defy society's expectations and admit their growing passion, or will they lose each other forever?