Alexander, heir to the Everly earldom, has just discovered he’s color blind. The malady explains why he didn’t do well in his natural science classes at Cambridge. What’s worse is it impairs his ability to choose gemstones for the jewelry he creates. If only he had a second pair of eyes that could correctly identify colors. The beguiling gray eyes—or are those green?— belonging to the daughter of a renown jeweler are only a temporary fix. He’s too young to marry, and besides, who wants a man who can’t see colors correctly?

Margaret spends her days assisting her father in the creation of jewelry for the wealthy. Her knowledge of gemstones is gleaned from years of watching him work and dealing with gem merchants. Although she’s old enough to be out in Society, embarrassment over her withered arm keeps her in the shop. What’s she to do when her latest client insists she attend a ball? He can secure an invitation and has promised her two dances, but is it worth being subjected to the censure and gossip her arm is sure to elicit? Or the wrath of the gem merchant to whom her father owes so much? His proposal might solve the debt issue, but at what price to her?

Meanwhile, their impending wedding anniversary has Alexander’s parents reacting in much different ways. Middle age has Harold remembering his youth and fearing his mortality while Stella isn’t ready to succumb to the preconceived notions of what it is to be a matron with grown children. Their solution may require they meet in the middle—of a bed.