She wants security... Miss Elinor Bennett—an American transplant to England—is at her wit's end. Alone and abandoned following the deaths of her parents and brother in unrelated accidents, her only means of escape from sadness is spying on the new neighbor—and allowing her fingers to wander.

He wants respect... Geoffrey Ansley, bastard son of an earl, has just inherited real estate in Surrey. A solicitor by trade and half-American by birth, he hopes his past won't follow him. Discovering the pretty redhead next door shares his adopted country is a happy accident. And though he wishes to be left alone, he can't banish his neighbor from his mind—especially after he catches her in a secret passage just outside his bedroom one night.

Sometimes fate is a fickle mistress... When a Guy Fawkes prank threatens to expose Elinor's penchant for scandalous exploits and puts Geoffrey's much valued reputation into jeopardy, they will need to decide what's more important—staying one step ahead of the rumor mongers or falling in love no matter the cost.