Dierdre Cantor is the most beautiful of her cousins.  The same cousins she is vying against to win her grandfather’s fortune.  Dierdre is determined to be the first to marry a duke.  When Calder, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is left without a bride, Dierdre makes her move.

Before her wedding day is over, Dierdre’s hope of a fantastic new life is crushed when she learns that Calder has kept a devastating secret from her.   Hurt and let down, Dierdre resolves to make Calder pay for his transgression.  Whereas Calder is just as single-minded in his desire to make Dierdre his true wife in every way.