She flipped her long, ebony hair back behind her shoulder as she trudged through the darkness. One hand braced on the cobblestone wall beside her, she was beginning to think this was indeed a bad idea. An idea that arose on a whim. An idea she should not have let grow roots in her mind. Stealing wasn't very noble and stealing from royal nobles was a crime. That was what she was doing, wasn't she? Committing a crime. But, she had no other choice. Another step in the dark. The lit sconces along the walls were of no help. She could barely see the ground or what was ahead of her. There was every chance she could trip and fall to her death. She steadied her breath as she continued. She had to do this. This was the only way she could be free.

"Small people in a fight were as fast as foxes, if they knew what to do." For the price of a small estate, an anonymous buyer sets out an offer to the best thieves in England. A rare diamond belonging to the newly minted Duke of Winchester must be acquired. Many a thief has their eyes set on the prize but none more so than Marina Bell, a young, clever small-time thief who forges a new identity to get dangerously close to the Duke. Since birth, Edward Winchester has been tasked with the burden of restoring his family's glory, and there is no place in his heart for frivolities, only honor and tradition. With family pressure mounting on finding a perfect wife, the Duke is keen on a strategic match to elevate his family through the ranks. However, to be rich and handsome is not enough to beat out other established bachelors. Luckily for the Duke, he stumbles upon the secret services of a 'teacher of society' whose network into top family homes will get him the info he needs to get through the season and acquire the perfect Duchess. A woman worth owning his family's priceless diamond heirloom. When he surprisingly finds himself charmed by his guide, Edward must decide between his heart come when duty calls?