In the thrilling third book in New York Timesbestselling author Lorraine Heaths Once Upon a Dukedom series, the dashing son of a disgraced duke teams up with a sultry beauty to thwart an assassination plot against Queen Victoria.When his father, the Duke of Wolfford, is hanged for an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria, Marcus Stanwick is stripped of everything. Vowing to return honor to his family, he seeks to expose the others involved in the treasonous plot and bring them to justice. His search forces him to turn to a woman he despises for her unforgiveable betrayala woman known as the heartless harlot.Harboring secrets, Esme Lancaster has her own reasons for wanting to discover whos behind the conspiracy thats still afoot. She doesnt trust Marcus but cant deny the handsome devil makes her wonder if she does indeed possess a heart, one he could very easily steal.As their hunt for the truth leads them into danger, Marcus finds Esme isnt cold and calculating as hed assumed but fire and brimstone, with courage and determination to match his own. Soon, theyre unable to deny their growing desire for each other. But giving into temptation comes at a cost, and they must decide if love is worth the risk of losing their one chance for redemption.