Cora Dove and her sisters'' questionable legitimacy has been the lifelong subject of New York''s gossipmongers and a continual stain on their father''s reputation. So when the girls each receive a generous, guilt-induced dowry from their dying grandmother, the sly Mr. Hathaway vows to release their funds only if Cora and her sisters can procure suitable husbands - far from New York. For Cora, England is a fresh start. She has no delusions of love, but a husband who will respect her independence? That''s an Earl worth fighting for. Enter: Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, a no-nonsense member of Parliament whose plan to pass a Public Health bill that would provide clean water to the working class requires the backing of a wealthy wife. He just never expected to crave Cora''s touch or yearn to hear her thoughts on his campaign - or to discover that his seemingly perfect bride protects so many secrets But secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface, and Devonworth has a few of his own. With their pasts laid bare and Cora''s budding passion for women''s rights taking a dangerous turn, they''ll learn the true cost of losing their heart to a stranger - and that love is worth any price.