Beautiful, fair-haired Helene Ambel was the hit of the London season, the epitome of a refined young heiress. But she preferred books, horses and intellectual pursuits to the dances, parties and simpering, overdressed, foolish men she could not take seriously. Helene was hungry for adventure.

She found it by helping her friends Juliet and Nicholas, who wanted to marry. Juliet's mother preferred the smooth-talking earl as a match for her daughter. And though Nicholas adored Juliet, he had his own reasons for hesitating to make her his wife.

Helene was drawn into the dark intrigue that threatened to separate Nicholas and Juliet forever - -the same intrigue that had touched Helene's maid's sister. Then Helene met the handsome Captain Longford. His interest in helping the star-crossed lovers made him very attractive to Helene....