Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings, is tired of being courted. Daphne Bridgerton, whose mother is set on finding her the perfect husband, is also tired. Neither Simon nor Daphne is happy with this state of affairs and would give anything for peace and quiet. Their mutual wish leads to a pretend engagement.
Sally Lockhart's father was an unconventional man who preferred to teach his daughter how to run a business and shoot straight from a pistol, rather than school her in the social graces expected of a young lady. When he dies suddenly and unexpectedly, on a voyage to the Far East, Sally receives a mysterious letter containing a strange warning - one that is to lead to yet another unexpected death. Soon Sally finds herself at the heart of a deep and dangerous mystery, and one which she is determined to solve at all costs.