After the "Mad Marquess" pens an atrocious poem listing his daughter's attributes in obscure verse, Lady Roberta realizes her lack of suitors could become permanent. Being a bold young woman, Roberta takes matters into her own hands and departs for London. Roberta intends to ask an extremely distant cousin, the Duchess of Beaumont, to sponsor her in society. She's already decided to marry the Duke of Villiers, the perfect antidote to her emotional and madcap father.

Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont, welcomes Roberta into her home. Recently reunited with her husband after an extensive stay in Paris, Jemma needs a distraction from her unhappy marriage. It will also irritate her husband, who's already furious about the impropriety of her brother, Damon, and his illegitimate son residing with them.

Damon, the Earl of Gryffyn, rather likes the unconventional Roberta and joins his sister in their plans to marry Roberta off to the filthy rich Duke of Villiers. Their difficulty will be in getting Villiers' attention. His passion is chess and women bore him. While aiding the cause, Damon finds himself attracted to Roberta. Her honesty and sharp wit are refreshing after the pretensions and hypocrisy of society. She is too good for Villiers, so Damon sets a campaign to win her for himself.

Living with Jemma, Roberta gets an insight into the elite's married behavior. Unhappy and bored, they embrace sensuality and play dangerous games. When Roberta finally gets the proposal, she must decide if she wishes to join them in their sophisticated and cynical world.

Ms. James' new series enters the Georgian world where ladies battle with their panniers and towering hairstyles and the gentlemen's elegance glows with their colorful garments and powered wigs. Chess is the rage and evolving with new pieces. Sit back and watch this play unfold with its large cast of characters, who are wickedly funny and tragically sad. Aficionados will find Shakespeare references sprinkled throughout in this beautifully written tale.

Book Summary

A marquess's sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St. Giles falls in love with a man she glimpses across a crowded ballroom: a duke, a chess player of consummate skill, a notorious rake who shows no interest in marriage -- until he lays eyes on Roberta.

Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve, the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta from chasing after the wrong destiny.

Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own, even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?.