In defiance of society's strictures, Lady Olivia is determined to share
her fascination with fencing with other ladies and enjoy the thrill of
facing an opponent like the dashing Lord Milbourn. Ignoring convention
comes at a cost, however. If she wants to start a fencing academy for
ladies, then her family insists that she agree to a betrothal to the
wealthy, but conventional, Lord Saunders. Despite her secret longing for
Lord Milbourn and their shared passion for fencing, she reluctantly
agrees.
Then tragedy strikes. The day before her school opens, Lady Olivia
discovers a dead body in her office, adorned with a marble cherub
resting upon his shoulder. Horrified, she turns away to find she has
left a trail of footprints through his blood, blood so fresh that it is
still sticky.
Scandal erupts, and her detestable fiance demands that she close the
academy. She stubbornly refuses and turns to the dangerously handsome
fencing master, Lord Milbourn, for help. While the master fencer's past
holds dark and perhaps deadly secrets, her heart yearns to trust him.
Torn between her growing love for the attractive and enigmatic Lord
Milbourn and her promise to Lord Saunders, Lady Olivia is determined to
fight for her heart's desire, whatever the cost.
