LordNathanielHarte,thedisagreeableDukeofBeswick,spendshisdayssmashingporcelain,antagonizinghisservants,andsnarlingatanyonewhogetstooclose.Witharuinedfacelikehis,it'shardtolikemuchabouttheworld.Especiallysmart-mouthedharpies--withlipsbettersuitedtokissingthanspeaking--whobravehiscastlewithindecentproposals.
ButLadyAstridEverleighwillstopatnothingtoseeheryoungersistersafefromanotoriousscoundrel,evenifitmeansofferingherselfuponasilverplattertotheforbiddingBeastofBeswickhimself.Andbyoffer,shemeanswhatnohighbornladyofsoundandsensiblemindwouldeverdreamof--atenderofmarriagewithherashisbride.