Orphaned at the age of seventeen, and for the past eighteen months the ward of the new Earl of Saltwood, the heiress Alana Wallingford has been residing with her good friend, Lady Kate Redgrave, sister of the Earl, and that woman’s grandmother, the Countess Saltwood. It is during Alana’s first Season that she meets and falls in love with the dashing Bailey Armstrong, Viscount Netherfield. She is aware of his reputation, especially the rumors about him and the beauteous and wealthy widow, Marianna Wise, but he at last convinces her that he truly loves her, and their marriage is planned for the end of June.
There is, however, one person in all of England who is not aware of that former association, that man being Valentine Redgrave, the youngest Redgrave, newly returned from the continent and happy to invite Marianna down to Saltwood for the nuptials (was it at his request, or her suggestion…he’s not sure; he was fairly well-to-go at the time, and in the widow Wise’s bed as well).
Clearly, Marianna is out to make mischief. Just as clearly, Bailey knows he’s in deep trouble. Lady Kate is incensed and protective, her oldest brother the Earl is to remain oblivious to any problems or else Lord knows what he’ll do. The Viscount Max Redgrave volunteers to romance the woman (“to throw her off the scent”), and Valentine, the cause of all this potential disaster, immediately breaks his leg and is confined to his bed.
As the wedding gown hangs in the cupboard, and the wedding itself hangs somewhere in mid-air, it’s a dance and duel of wits as Bailey sets out to prove once and for all that his heart belongs to Alana. On the very eve of the wedding, is a seduction of his now hesitant, virgin bride in order? According to the Dowager Countess, “It’s the only way, you daft idiot!”..M.F