Lady Ariel lives retired in the country after being badly scarred by a fire that killed her mother and brother. Society gossips about her and calls her Lady Beast. Her second cousin, who inherited her father’s title but not his private wealth, wants to have her committed so he can manage—and steal—her fortune. Only finding a husband will prevent the cousin from having his way Peter, Lord Ransome, has inherited his father's debts along with responsibility for a stepmother who loathes him, her daughters, and his own two half-sisters. Only a wealthy bride will save his estate and his family, especially the sisters who have fled his stepmother. Once wed, the Beau and the Beast find they have more in common than they thought, but their accord is shaken when their enemies rouse Society and the rabble against them. In their struggles to survive deadly hatred, they find that their marriage offers more than they bargained for.