Lady Madeline has vowed not to marry below the rank of an earl. Using her clever wit and fierce determination, she has passed up several marriage offers as well as successfully sidestepped the occasional scandal. Ultimately, her choice falls on the Earl of Townsend who is handsome, rich and an earl and thus everything she's ever desired in a husband. Until one night when her plans go horribly wrong, and she is compromised by the wrong man.