American Historical Romance, set in 1888

When John Baldwin's father cuts him off from the family fortune, he has no choice but to trade his reckless bachelor life for that of domestication. Desperate to regain his inheritance, he sets his sights on childhood friend and pen pal Caroline Hubbard. Only one thing stands in his way of securing her hand—her older sister Eleanora. She despises him.

Recently widowed Eleanora (Nell) struggles to find the balance between a double life. In public, she is the delicate, refined, eldest daugher of the Mayor. In private, she frequents a working class dance hall and strives to seek justice for the workers of her late husband's factory. The last thing she needs is John Baldwin appearing in town after he ruined her life ten years ago. When she discovers his selfish intentions for her sister, she vows to do everything in her power to stop him.

But she doesn't expect John to thwart her plans with blackmail, forcing his involvement with her secret life and the risks that come with it. John quickly becomes invested in Nell's factory plight, and when he impulsively decides to save the day, he finds himself in over his head. Nell agrees to his offer of a temporary marriage -- the only way to give them both what they want. They foresee a brief, professional union, but their increasing attraction proves more than they bargained for.