Exiled for most of his youth, Lord Zavier Fagean returns to seek revenge on the woman who ruined his life. After setting his estate's business in order, Zavier heads to London to stalk his nemesis and devise a plot to wreak havoc in her life. As Zavier considers his options, he decides to cause distress and humiliation to his enemy by ruining her daughter.

Lady Isabelle Beaumont is a debutant caught up in her mother's plans to find her a husband and is ripe for the picking. Much to her mother's horror, Zavier inserts himself into Isabelle's life. As the worldly and handsome man enthrals her, Isabelle's ruination is all too easy. Consequences Zavier had never considered emerge, and he tricks Isabelle into marrying him. A visit from Zavier's sisters causes dissent and ruins Zavier's plan to sweet-talk his wife. Can Isabelle and Zavier beat the odds and make their forced marriage work, or has the interference from outside forces doomed them to failure?