Jasper Stapleton, Viscount Langley and heir to the Earl of Mendleton, is rendered speechless over his mother’s latest plan. Some unknown and penniless lady from an equally unknown family is to be taken under Lady Mendleton’s wing. As his mother is a great adopter of the needy—human and canine both—he presumes the young lady is one more lost soul to be rescued. He determines he’ll have nothing to do with the project, as he’s far too busy working for the queen. Though, he does find Miss Wilcox very pleasant to look at. More than pleasant, actually.