Lord Julian Caldicott is battling a severe case of winter doldrums as well as a serious bout of pre-wedding jitters. He longs to summon—invite, rather—his intended, Miss Hyperia West to Caldicott Hall, but she seems to be having a fine time shopping for her trousseau in London. Julian's growing pile of miseries is only increased when a neighbor, Sir Clive Arbuthnot, reports that his titled cousin has gone missing.

Sir Clive entreats Julian to find the errant earl before creditors, importuning relations, and disgruntled tenants descend on Sir Clive, who was merely hosting his cousin for a visit when the disappearance occurred. Julian longs to hibernate at the Hall, but the missing peer might well be the victim of foul play, and Julian's mother holds Sir Clive in particular esteem. Julian must face lies, scandals, maternal disapproval, his own worst fears, and deadly peril if he's not to leave Hyperia waiting in vain at the altar!