Miles from anywhere, Darracott Place is presided over by the irascible Lord Darracott. The recent drowning of his eldest son has done nothing to improve his temper. For now, he must send for the unknown offspring of the uncle whom the family is never permitted to mention.

The new heir is Major Hugo Darracott, “that damned weaver's brat” from the Yorkshire wilderness. The family members are ordered to lick Hugo into shape for his new status. However, Hugo is actually very, very rich and was raised to be a credit to both sides of his family. But his sense of humor makes it impossible to resist playing the ill-bred yokel of the Darracotts' worst fears.

Making the best of a bad situation, Anthea Darracott was civil to her newly-met cousin Hugh--but barely. For Anthea, reduced to accepting the charity of Lord Darracott, had been ordered to marry Hugh, new heir to the Darracott fortune. Lord Darracott's plan seemed perfect--to him: Hugh, the offspring of his son and a common weaver's daughter, might bring an unsuitable wife into the family. To prevent this disaster, Hugh must marry the impoverished, 22-year-old spinster Anthea. Knowing this, the two young people detested one another on sight.

But even she doesn't guess what he's capable of, until a family crisis arises and only Hugo can preserve the family's honor, leading everybody on a merry chase in the process.