Because of a deathbed promise made Miss Jane Middleton is in London on the marriage mart. Her search for a suitable husband, despite her impressive fortune, is not going well and being a wallflower is not at all going to achieve her goals. During her forays into society, and the comments of the favored airhead debutantes, she has noticed the formidable "Hellion" Caulfield. At one such occasion Jane overhears Hellion bemoan his financal straights to a confidant. Jane, being a good businesswoman and willing to see things as they are, proposes a business proposition that would benefit both herself socially and Hellion financially. Thus begins their association. Hellion insists on conducting things as he sees fit. Also, as he is not familiar with Jane he tasks his very efficient confidant with finding out all about Miss Middleton and with finding a secret in case some kind of leverage is needed on his part. Things progress as you imagine until Jane herself hears a revelation between these two that sends her packing for the country. Despite Hellion's ability to iron out things with Jane about what she overheard she leaves anyway as Jane realizes things about Hellion that he does not seem aware of himself. When pressed by Hellion, Jane gets very blunt and puts a small dent in Hellion's pride. How Hellion reacts to this information is a delight and the ending is more satisfying because of it.
I quite enjoyed reading this book. It was a totally satisfying all around read for me. I would give it a try if you like historicals a bit. 
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Use the talents you have, for the woods would by silent if no birds sang except the best. (from a flip inspiration book-'Thoughts for my daughter')
