Lovely young Elizabeth Cordell had been well warned about the notorious Lord Nicholas Dearborne. She vowed that never would her handsome guardian add her to his long list of romantic conquests. When shadowy danger on his country estate threatened Elizabeth, she rejected the shelter of Dearborne's arms. When he then insisted Elizabeth plunge into the dizzying social whirl of Regency London, she refused to cling to him for support. Even when unjust scandal promised ruin for her reputation, Elizabeth would not think of humbling herself by explaining the truth to him. Only near-disaster could teach Elizabeth that pride might be the greatest folly of all--and love the sweetest reward.