Warwickshire, England, 1812. Margaret Brinton has sworn to herself that she will never be deceived by feelings again. All she's looking for is a marriage of convenience with someone who can't break her heart. The handsome libertine Mr Northam seems like the perfect man for her needs, but her cousin, Lord Williams, pursues her, ruining her any chance of forming a good union with Northam or with anyone else. Back home, Margaret meets the husband chosen for her by her father, so she will find herself choosing between keeping her promise to protect her heart or breaking it with the hope of loving one last time.