The demise of Villanova will begin when the blood of its ruler is too weak to sustain her. Famine, illness, and poverty will lead to the destruction of Villanova unless the blood of her two first families is once again united.
To save his kingdom from the ancient curse, Prince Nicolai Alexandrov must marry. Faced with two candidates, Nicolai chooses Lady Bronwyn Mongtomery, a descendant of a Villanovan family and the reclusive daughter of an earl.
Lady Bronwyn has finally accepted that no man could possibly love her because of the birthmark that mars her face. After a disastrous first season with the London ton, Bronwyn has retreated to her country home, where she hides from the rest of the world.
Nicolai poses as a footman to gain admission to Bronwyn's home, in hopes of persuading her to give up her hermit ways, marry him, and save his kingdom. But when Bronwyn finds out his secret, can her footman become her prince?
