1822, England: Lady Caroline Elmhurst is twice-widowed, down on her luck, and pursued by creditors. But she"s optimistic about finding a new husband—or if necessary, a rich lover—and when she meets handsome, mysterious Nicholas Congrevance at a house-party in the country, she sets out to entice him. For his part, Nicholas simply sees Lady Caroline Elmhurst as just the sort of woman he"s used to exploiting—rich, available, and gullible. Neither realizes the other is penniless and neither has any intention of falling in love.