Charlotte Mandeville traffics in gossip. It not only puts money in her family’s bare pockets but ensures the haut-ton cannot guard all the power and the secrets. Anthony Yorke has a tainted reputation to protect and a mystery to unravel. However, someone seems intent on hedging up his way. He is determined to discover whom. But Charlotte is not easily deterred, requiring Anthony to spend precious time trying to persuade her against leaking his secrets. When they are found together in a compromising situation, Anthony is forced to do the unthinkable—claim they are engaged. Neither of them wishes to marry, but it may well be inevitable—and increasingly more desirable than it first seemed.