In defiance of society's strictures, Lady Olivia is determined to share her fascination with fencing with other ladies and enjoy the thrill of facing an opponent like the dashing Lord Milbourn. Ignoring convention comes at a cost, however. If she wants to start a fencing academy for ladies, then her family insists that she agree to a betrothal to the wealthy, but conventional, Lord Saunders. Despite her secret longing for Lord Milbourn and their shared passion for fencing, she reluctantly agrees.

Then tragedy strikes. The day before her school opens, Lady Olivia discovers a dead body in her office, adorned with a marble cherub resting upon his shoulder. Horrified, she turns away to find she has left a trail of footprints through his blood, blood so fresh that it is still sticky.

Scandal erupts, and her detestable fiancé demands that she close the academy. She stubbornly refuses and turns to the dangerously handsome fencing master, Lord Milbourn, for help. While the master fencer's past holds dark and perhaps deadly secrets, her heart yearns to trust him.

Torn between her growing love for the attractive and enigmatic Lord Milbourn and her promise to Lord Saunders, Lady Olivia is determined to fight for her heart's desire, whatever the cost.