Gideon Cole has a master plan for his life, which includes marrying the lovely Constance Clary, whose wealth and beauty will secure his place in London society. Lily Masters also has a plan, which is to make enough money picking the pockets of the wealthy to keep her and her younger sister, Alice, fed and off the streets. When Lily is caught with her fingers in the wrong pocket, the man is determined to see her sent to Newgate Prison. Gideon comes to her rescue, using his last 30 pounds to buy her freedom. It's then he comes up with the idea of a daring masquerade, using Lily to make the lady he wishes to marry jealous.

During their lessons on deportment, conversation and dancing, Lily sees another side of Gideon. And this is the man -- who represents the poor who would otherwise be unheard in the courts, who affectionately attends to his constantly dying uncle, who puts his sister's happiness before his own and who rescues a pickpocket and her younger sister from Newgate -- Lily falls in love with. It's because of this love that Lily agrees to become the make- believe rival of Miss Clary for Gideon's affections. For his part, Gideon can't understand his burgeoning attraction for the lovely Lily. It's Constance he wants to marry, right up until the moment the contrary beauty, determined to beat her rival, proposes marriage!

Julie Anne Long has written a delightful tale of whimsical subterfuge, giving her readers an amusing glimpse into the often unfathomable complexities of the London ton. Gideon and Lily are perfect foils for one another, and through them Ms. Long demonstrates a gift for witty prose and sparkling dialogue. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Book Summary

Gideon Cole is having a bad week: his "almost" engagement to the wealthy, beautiful Lady Constance Clary is suddenly threatened by the appearance of a serious rival—Lord Jarvis, who already has a title and a fortune, whereas Gideon's primary assets are...well, smoldering eyes and rogueish charm. And then a pickpocket with extraordinary eyes nearly makes off with Gideon's grandfather's watch— and knees him in the cods to escape his grip.

Things seem to be looking up when the magical gift of thirty pounds makes it possible for Gideon to buy the townhouse Constance has been coveting, but fate, of course, has other ideas...