A young lady with a fortune is subject to all sorts of untoward attentions by the worst sort of vagrants. Aunt Allegra

A lesson Tabitha Timmons, a penniless spinster, has neverneeded to heed. That is, until she is left a vast fortune payableonly upon her marriage to the very respectable Mr. Barkworth-a match that offers little chance of discovering exactlywhat her aunt means by untoward attentions.

But the same can’t be said when the Duke of Prestonhappens along Tabitha’s path. He spies a rebellious streak inher that matches his own and he makes it his missionto save her from such a passionless match, interfering in herlife at every turn. All too soon, Preston-whose veryname spells ruin-has Tabitha caught betweenthe good fortune that guarantees her security,and his kiss, which promises an entirelydifferent kind of happily-ever-after.