Sophie Wilson's guardian insists she must marry the odious and bullying Lord Pinkerton unless she finds a suitable alternative immediately. Since she is a wallflower-through no fault of her own-that is unlikely. Her brother tries to help by persuading his friend Kit Thomas, impoverished second son of an earl, to pretend to be her fiancé until the bully loses interest. As Sophie and Kit spend time together, their feelings grow. But Pinkerton is not so easily thwarted and will stop at nothing to be rid of rivals. Besides, what will Sophie do when she learns Kit was offered money to court her?