Impetuous beauty Lady Jacinda Knight is the daughter of a notorious woman. Her mother - Georgiana, the Duchess of Hawkscliffe - had scandalised society with her affairs and exploits, earning her the moniker of the Hawkscliffe Harlot. All her life Jacinda has been aware that the eyes of the ton are upon her - waiting for her to reveal her true colours and follow in her disgraced mother's footsteps. Now - faced with the prospect of an arranged and loveless marriage - Jacinda may well be about to prove her critics right. Running from her fate, Jacinda finds herself alone on a dangerous street face-to-face with Billy Blade, the notorious leader of a band of thieves. Jacinda finds herself dangerously attracted to the handsome, mysterious rogue and only just escapes the experience with her reputation intact. But Billy is no ordinary criminal. Years before he had turned his back on the privilege and power of his tyrannical father, the Earl of Rackford. He regarded giving up his wealth and position a small price to pay for the freedom he currently enjoys. But Jacinda makes him contemplate the unthinkable - returning to the civilized world to reclaim his title.