Lady Athena Cottswold's life is as bright as sunshine when she fell head-over-heels in love with Matthew, Viscount of Tonbridge, but when she witnessed the latter's betrothal to some other woman of the ton, her world crumbles and became bleak. Enter Edmond, Duke of Rushton, Athena's childhood friend since they were five, that is, until they were thirteen. Edmond is a rake, and that is one of the reasons Athena despised him. When he saw how Athena cried over some unworthy lout, he vowed that no one will ever lay a finger on Athena's heart again. He will make her fall in love with him.