Constance Woodley, at twenty-eight years old, was doomed to eke out a miserable existence as a poor relative in her uncle’s house, if one day it had not occurred to the Duke of Rochefort to make an incredible bet with the brilliant society beauty and young widow Lady Francesca Hoston. According to the terms of the bet, Lady Hoston had to marry the dowryless Constance by the end of the London season. This completely coincided with Francesca’s desire; she liked Miss Woodley, and she sincerely intended to change the girl’s fate for the better. So Constance’s life was magically transformed in an instant, as soon as Lady Hoston turned her favorable gaze on her...