Two beautiful sisters - one an illegitimate governess, the other a celebrated debutante - compete for love amidst the scandal and intrigue of a Regency London Season. Lissa Hazlett lives life in the shadows. The beautiful, unacknowledged daughter of Viscount Partington earns her living as drudge to the social climbing Lamonts while her vain and spoiled half sister, Araminta, enjoys London's social whirl as its most feted debutante. When Lissa's rare talent as a portraitist brings her unexpectedly into the bosom of society - and into the midst of a scandal involving Araminta and suspected English traitor Lord Debenham - she finds an unlikely ally: charming and besotted Ralph Tunley, Lord Debenham's underpaid, enterprising secretary. Ralph can't afford to leave the employ of the villainous viscount much less keep a wife but as an accepted member of the ton he can help Lissa cleverly navigate a perilous web of lies that will ensure everyone gets what they deserve.