An heiress posing as a lowly servant.
A nouveau riche brewer in need of a socially mobile bride.
Will their match be the season's grandest charade or a match for all time?
Caroline Armitage was given an ultimatum-find a husband by the end of the season or accept her guardian's unsavory proposal. Caroline chose-neither. Now living a lie and posing as a maid, she flees to Manchester and finds work in the nouveau riche Mr. Babbage's employ.
Does she know how to be a maid? Not exactly, but she certainly knows how to be a charming and efficient household manager, something Vrigil Babbage soon discovers, prompting Caroline to reveal her true identity. She pleads with Mr. Babbage to keep her secret, but she doesn't expect him to cooperate. She is shocked when he not only agrees to keep quiet but also grants her the security she needs-playing the part of his hostess and wife.
Caroline chose to live as a lowly servant; why not as a rich man's wife? To Virgil, their marriage is just an act to save face and further his business. But what will happen when their pretext of a marriage turns to true love and their secrets are exposed?