Archibald Brainridge (Archie) has been summoned by his godfather, the Earl of Chandos, to make an appearance in London.  Archie wonders what the old curmudgeon wants, as the man disinherited him and sent him away years ago, after an issue at Oxford.  What he finds is that the Earl now wants to make a couple of deals with him.  If he stays away from gambling for a year, then he will get an allowance, and if he finds a woman to marry him, then he will become the sole heir of the Earl.  Archie knows the first part will be easy as he has left his gaming ways behind him, just not the debts.  He is now the bailiff for his father’s estate and has found a passion in farming and farm planning.  He knows the perfect person for part two.  He thinks to ask Isabella Cox, his neighbor and long-time friend, to be his bride.

He, unfortunately, is so nervous about asking her that he goes out and gets drunk first.  Bella is stunned that she appears to have sunk so low that even a friend has to get drunk to ask her to marry him.

Isabella is determined to never marry a gambler.  In fact, she has resigned herself to having to live the life as a lady's companion, as her father gambled her dowry away.  So she writes her aunt to ask if she is either in need of a companion or knows of someone who is, especially since her aunt is just getting over the death of her uncle.  When she arrives in London, Isabella finds that her aunt takes her on as her project.  She wants her to have a season, and will help her with a dowry to make a match; she won’t stand for Bella becoming a companion.

The problem that both Bella and Archie face is that just as she turns him down, and he sobers up, they both find they love each other.  Will Bella be able to trust Archie not to gamble and take a chance on love?