The beautiful Miss Zoe Armstrong is rich, spoiled, impulsive and desperately illegitimate. Though Zoe burns bright as the most vibrant diamonds, all the money in the world won't buy her what she secretly desires, to be loved for who she is. But when a night of passion leads to Zoe's betrothal to her distant cousin, her perfect world is turned upside down and shattered before her very eyes. Lord Robert Rowland has been Zoe's partner in crime since childhood. When he sees his cousin in tears at a ball, what else can he do but console her by doing what Robin always does best. But a rogue's chivalry can have unexpected consequences, not the least of which is the loss of his one true love. Suddenly, Zoe finds herself on the verge of marrying a broken man and the only solace she can find is in the arms of Lord Robert's older brother, the stern and powerful Marquess of Mercer.