The scandalous past costs the old Duke dearly: a cynical and daring blackmailer threatens to ruin him and deprive him of not only his title, but also his fortune. The Duke's eldest son Charles de Lacy, Lord Gresham, leaves London, where he led a wild life, and goes to the provinces in search of the scoundrel, wanting to find out whether there is at least some truth in his threats. However, how to find the culprit? Tessa Neville, who is very similar to his accomplice, will probably help. At first, Charles intends only to use Tessa for his own purposes, but the mysterious beauty, graceful and witty, attracts him with extraordinary force. Her every word intrigues, every glance tempts, and soon Lord Gresham, burning with passion, no longer understands who is in front of him - an insidious enemy or the woman of his dreams...