Regina Tremayne comes from a wealthy background, even if that wealth has been derived from nefarious dealings. Her Uncle Wick, or Wicked - as Reggie refers to him - has offered her a deathbed reprieve from being tossed in the gutter. She has six months to woo Lord Winslow and wed him. She must rely on her wits to finance her ventures, and keep her eyes and attraction for Lord Damien Coulter in abeyance. Too bad that Damien is now aware something unscrupulous is afoot with the lovely countess, and is determined to protect his friend Winslow from her influence. Reggie, meanwhile, is searching for a promised treasure. It is her inheritance, bestowed by Wick but with no revelations as to structure or quality. Her treasure is Reggie's only hope if Winslow can't be brought up to scratch before the deadline. Failing these measures, the wretched house will become the property of the buxom housekeeper, and Reggie will be gutter fare.