What can you look forward to when your only relatives call you ugly, unbalanced, and a scandal? Whatwould you do if your only friend was threatened? Dependent on her half brother, the Earl of Lamburne,Adelaide knows. She wants to escape.Gervase Ducane, invited to Lamburne's home to court his daughter, is torn. He needs to marry well andsoon but not this spiteful chit. Should he buy a commission instead? Seek a wealthy merchant's daughter?As a marquess's brother, he has at least a noble connection to offer an heiress apart from his goodmanners. And why is he only now meeting the earl's delightful half sister?Ordered to stay away from the house party, Adelaide rebels. She will make her unwelcome, embarrassingpresence known to avenge herself and her pet. Sometimes when you least expect it, magic happens.A traditional romance.