On the sudden and shocking death of his elder brother, Henry Fairfax inherits the title of Earl of Connington. However, many people, including Henry's mother, the Dowager Lady Fairfax, feel he should also inherit his brother's fiancée - the haughty, elegant and beautiful Cecily Palmer. Henry has no liking for the idea, or for the character of Cecily herself. He is very much in love with Susanna, the daughter of a local businessman. Cecily vows that if she cannot be The Earl of Connington's wife, then she will be his ruin. But Cecily has a dark secret, and must snare a wealthy husband before it is discovered. Just how far will she go to ensure that the marriage of Henry and Susanna never takes place? This period piece is a tale of passion and adventure in which misbehaving females receive a spanking to show them the error of their ways.