Gillian Ames is illegitimate. After her half-sister, a wealthy heiress dies, Gillian decides to take her place for a London season, under the direction of her haughty guardian.

To Become a Countess...
RULE #1: A lady does not attempt to come out in London society disguised as her deceased half-sister.
RULE #2: A lady does not become enamored of her guardian; even though his masterful kisses and whispered words of affection tempt her beyond all endurance.
RULE #3: A lady may not climb barefoot from her bedroom on a rose trellis, nor engage in fisticuffs with riffraff in order to rescue street urchins.
RULE #4: No matter how impossible the odds, a lady always gives her hand and her heart--though not necessarily in that order--to the one man who sees her as she truly is and loves her despite her flagrant disobedience of every one of the RULES FOR A LADY.