In Restoration England, smart and determined Meriel St. Thomas, orphaned ward and lowly servant, is thrust into a game of international intrigue and the adventure of a lifetime. It seems Meriel-called Merry-looks exactly like the wife of Lord Giles, Earl of Warborough, whose legendary heroism has long sent a thrill down Merry's spine. Giles's cold, unfaithful wife is known to be a spy for the Dutch. Coerced by the king's spymaster, Merry takes the traitor's place as a double-agent-with the aim of delivering false intelligence to the waiting Dutch. But Merry's dangerous mission only fans the flames of her smoldering desire for Giles-even as Giles is overtaken by passion for a "wife" who's suddenly become all he ever wanted.