Rosalie Harrow is unmarried, near destitute and faces two choices: snag a wealthy gentleman or take a position as a governess. But headstrong Rosalie sees both futures as a kind of cage. When Rosalie receives an invitation to Alcott Hall, she believes she's there to meet the Dowager Duchess of Norland, the mysterious childhood friend of her late mother. Instead, Rosalie is thrust in the middle of a house party of eligible high society ladies all desperate to win the hand of the new, conveniently single duke. And then there's the other gentlemen… Lord James is the duke's younger brother. Lieutenant Renley is begrudgingly searching for a bride. And the tempestuous Mr. Burke, who irks Rosalie to no end. The clock is ticking until the Michaelmas Ball, when the duke will announce his bride. Marriage is a trap and Rosalie will not be easily snared…but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy the chase while it lasts.