Just eighteen, beautiful and intelligent, Yola Beauharnais lives a blessed Fairy tale life at her magnificent family castle on the Loire.
Then her grandmother announces that she has been promised in marriage by her late beloved father to the Marquis de Montereau.
Yola is appalled. She has heard of the Marquis, who, although handsome and sophisticated, has a reputation in Paris as a rake, socialite and ‘ladykiller’. How could she possibly marry such a man, one who wants her only for her castle and the extensive estate?
Determined to marry only for true love, wherever she may find it, Yola is helped by her father’s mistress and travels ‘undercover’ to Paris in the guise of a woman of questionable morals to meet the notorious Marquis and find out for herself whether he might fall in love with her as herself and for herself only.
Or whether she must betray her father’s dying wish and refuse her unwanted suitor.
On meeting the Marquis in her disguise, Yola finds that there is much more to him than his reputation suggests and, as love blossoms between them, she comes to bitterly regret her deception.
Will she really find her true love or will she be condemned to live a life of disappointment and delusion as the Sleeping Beauty of her enchanted castle?
Yolande's desperation knew no bounds.

Up until now her life was as perfect as any princess in a storybook. A landed countess, blessed with beauty, intelligence and wealth, she lived in a magnificent castle on the edge of a dark, mysterious forest.

But the fairy tale abruptly became a nightmare when she was promised in marriage to the Marquis de Montereau. Yolande had heard a great deal about the Marquis: he was the most notorious rake in all Paris. He might be willing to marry her for her estates, but he would never love her.

Knowing she would rather die than wed a man she hardly knew and certainly despised, Yolande saw only one way to appraise her future bridegroom and resign herself to marriage.

She would go to Paris impersonating a woman of less than perfect virtue. She would force the Marquis to love her as a woman --- not as the owner of a priceless castle. ( )