She stole his gold. He stole her heart.

Kestrel MacRae has survived London's alleys with nothing but her wits, her knives, and a promise to her dying mother: reclaim her stolen Scottish birthright and clear her father's name. She never expected to be plucked from the streets and thrown into the glittering aristocracy as a spy for one of Whitehall's notorious rakes, especially after the man catches her with her hand clutched around his gold- filled purse.

Devon Trevelyan has nopatience for the sharp-tongued thief who tried to pick his pocket. When the king requests his help tofoil a poisonous plot against the Queen, he jumps at the chance, but he needshelp. He needs a woman who won't be intimidated by threats or scandaloussituations, and the street urchin with the haunting eyes could slipinto the queen's chambers and uncover secrets no courtier ever could.

But transforming Kestrel into a lady is far easier than resisting her. At Whitehall's glittering court, where betrayal hides behind every silk curtain, their desire becomes a dangerous game. Devon swears to keep his distance. Kestrel swears to keep her secrets. Yet one stolen kiss shatters both vows.

WhenEngland's Civil War tears Devon from her side, and her true identity isexposed, Kestrel is given the opportunity to return to the Highlands she'slonged for and a chance to reclaim her birthright. Now Kestrel must choosebetween keeping the vow to her mother, or the man who would cross kingdoms toclaim her heart.