The story follows , the Duchess of Venbrough, who fled her past twelve years ago after being wrongfully accused of murdering her abusive husband. Now living as Jenny Laurent , the manager of an exclusive ladies' club, she believes her secret is buried—until she meets Sebastian Knight .

Sebastian is an amateur sleuth and an intellectual genius who is fascinated by mysteries. He becomes obsessed with Jenny, and their relationship begins with a hilariously awkward proposition for an affair. However, as he pieces together her past, his "black and white" view of justice leads to a devastating betrayal.

by Aydra Richards is a deeply emotional Regency romance that has garnered high praise, particularly for its "top-tier" groveling and its nuanced portrayal of a neurodivergent hero. Plot Overview