An incomparable that has been deserted by her fiancé searches for a disreputable scoundrel who ruined her cousin.
Beautiful, wealthy, patient Mirabelle Whittingham has been engaged for 5 long years. She has never met her fiancé, but she overheard him talking to her father the day before her London society debut. Camden Brackley, Viscount Stonehurst, vowed that he would never claim his bride. The insufferable man swore that love was only for fools and poets. A weak later, he set sail for America. Camden has never tried to contact his fiancé at anytime during their long engagement. As her fourth season draws to a close, Mirabelle feels she has waited long enough.
Mirabelle has been comforted by her loyal family, especially her cousin Sarah. Plain and poor but compassionate and loyal, Sarah is two years older than Mirabelle and has never received an offer of marriage. Yet, she has always been cheerful. During the past year, Sarah has been downright exuberant. Then suddenly, Sarah kills herself. After Mirabelle reads Sarah?s diary, she discovers that her cousin had a secret lover who refused to marry her when she told him she was pregnant. Sarah left few clues as to her lover?s identity. He was short, she danced with him at least twice at every party (Sarah saved all of her dance cards), and he has a raised scar on the left side of his neck.
Mirabelle is determined to find the blackguard who drove her cousin to commit suicide. She begins her investigation by kissing all the likely suspects and feeling their necks for a scar. Avenging a friend is more important than guarding a reputation, especially since her fiancé has no intention of marrying her. Then at the worst possible moment, the Viscount returns.
Camden Brackley was intimately involved in the scandal of the season 5 years ago. During a lavish engagement ball, Camden discovered his first fiancé in the arms of another man. She told him she was only marrying him for his title. When Camden swore he loved her, she told him love was for fools and poets. That was when Camden decided to marry for logical rather than emotional reasons. He agreed to do his duty by the title and let his father choose another bride for him. Without even meeting the girl (so he wouldn?t be tempted to fall in love again), he traveled to America to make his fortune. Now that his business is showing a decent profit, he has returned to London. Camden is positive that his fiancé will break their engagement. Surely no young lady of quality and decent prospects would endure such callous neglect. The Earl of Stonehurst informs his son that he is honor bound to speak with Miss Whittingham in person.
Camden finds Mirabelle kissing another man while rubbing her fingers under his collar. Some guys have all the luck.
