Miss Penelope Grantham has been receiving grants for her scientific research under false pretenses--using a masculine name to apply for monies from a committee that would never fund a woman's work. But when she is summoned to appear in person, the resourceful lass finds.herself facing a possible prison sentence--unless she can find a suitable male willing to pose as her brother.

Disowned and dishonored, Daniel Warfield is a man without an identity--until he is offered one by a brilliant and beautiful young lady. Masquerading as "Ulysses Grantham," the wrongly disgraced lord can now investigate incognito the mysterious deaths of his family members. But though the platonic arrangement suits both their purposes, neither Daniel nor Penelope calculates on an explosive chemical reaction called love.