A pursuit is underway . . .

From the hallowed halls of London's Almack's to the unkempt taverns of Drury Lane, from whispered words in glittering theaters to seductive kisses at Vauxhall Gardens-an earl must pursue his lady. Propriety be damned. Anything is allowed. But for success, the Earl of Kelmarsh may have to enact the Rules of the Rogue . . .

A resolute lady.

Miss Sophie Beckford escaped to Ireland after her almost betrothed broke her heart. Now a year later, she's back in London-stronger, better attired, armed with her cousin, and determined not to fall for the blackguard's wiles again.

A desperate gentleman.

What's an earl to do when his almost betrothed refuses to speak to him, hear him out, or even look at him after a misunderstanding of gargantuan proportions?

With dubious assistance from a roguish marquess, a strait-laced duke, and even the occasional poet and famous actor throwing in their sixpence, the earl will try any ruse, any rule in the book to recapture Sophie's heart. Failure is not an option.