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In this sequel to ROSALINDA'S REVENGE, we take up the story of the man who left Lady Rosalinda at the altar, only to try unsuccessfully to win her back later. In this story Lord Harry Montague, rake, gambler and idle London aristocrat, is in danger of having his funds cut off by his exasperated father, the Marquess of Merlton. The only way his father will relent is if Harry agrees to enrich the family holdings by marrying Prudence Culpepper, the daughter of a wealthy neighboring squire. Harry does not want to sacrifice himself at the matrimonial altar for his father. So with the aid of his faithful valet he concocts a scheme to simultaneously court Prudence while repulsing her with behavior so objectionable it will all but guarantee her refusal of his proposal. For her part, Prudence loved Harry when they were both children playing together, but he ignored her then and now she is chagrined to realize he doesn't recollect her at all. Besides, Prudence is infatuated with the smooth-talking Lt. Franklin, whom her father distrusts and forbids her to see. Prudence has no wish to give her heart or her hand to Harry, especially since his reputation as a London rake precedes him. When she discovers Harry's courtship is a sham, she convinces him that it would serve them both well to keep up the pretense for their parents, so she can use their meetings as a cover to visit with her young soldier without her father's interference. Lord Harry is happy to comply, especially since Prudence assures him she will reject his phony marriage proposal. But in pretending to woo Prudence Harry gets to know her and discovers she is different from the London beauties with whom he usually consorts. Her beauty is not superficial, and she is intelligent and fun to talk to. The more he sees her, the more he falls in love with her. He also begins to develop an interest in the estate and the tenants who depend on it for their living. After saving one tenant's dilapidated cottage from a fire, Harry feels the weight of his family's responsibilities as landowners. His evolution is not lost on Prudence. By getting to know Harry, she starts to see beyond his wild past, and begins to appreciate not only the man he is, but also the man he could become. Meanwhile, Franklin senses he is losing Prudence's interest. He decides to take desperate measures to keep her and her inheritance by kidnapping the unsuspecting Prudence, taking her by carriage to Scotland, and giving the appearance they are spending the night together en route. This compromising circumstance all but assures Prudence will be compelled to marry Lt. Franklin. When Harry discovers Franklin's scheme, he sets out to save Prudence. But his pride gets in the way of his rescue. And Prudence's faith in Harry is tested to the breaking point. In the end Prudence devises a plan to both save her reputation and ensure Harry's redemption.

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