Renowned for his lavish lifestyle and a roving eye, Valient, Viscount Ockley, is completely bowled over by heiress, Niobe Barrington. But, it's not just for her dazzling beauty that he pursues he with such ardor, for although he lives like a King, it's all on credit. In reality he's all but, bankrupt and only, by marrying into money can he hope to restore his ruined house to its former glory.
But, Niobe's father, Sir Aylmer, won't hear of it and arranges for Niobe to marry the 'old and horrid' Marquess of Porthcawl!
When Niobe breaks this news, Valient storms from her house in a rage, threatening to marry the first woman he meets rather than let anyone know that she has humiliated him.
As he drives, away in his phaeton, he meets the woman he will marry, an 18-year-old beauty, who has stowed away under a blanket at his feet, Niobe's cousin Jemima Barrington, who fleeing the abuse she suffers at Sir Aylmer's hands.
And so, in a sudden marriage of convenience, the 'wrong' Barrington becomes the new Viscountess Ockley causing outrage and consternation among all but Jemima, who is already in love. The question is, will the Viscount ever overcome his love for her cousin?
