The Duke of Ashby is cunning and vicious. He cares only for wealth and advancement. As one of the wealthiest men in society, he desires more, which includes his longtime friend and enemy's lands and titles. In a gamble, both dukes betroth their oldest children. The first child to end the engagement forfeits the wealth and lands of the father to the other duke. The Earl of Arundel, begrudgingly agrees to marry Lady Olivia, so his father won't lose the bet and leave their family in poverty. His desires change when he is nearly killed and wakes with amnesia in a strange home. After falling in love with Miss Emma Parker, he finds marrying a woman as a result of his father's greed distasteful and he desires to marry for love.