Rosalind McHenry is horrified to learn that her wastrel brother had promised his daughter Felicity in marriage to Alistair, Lord Eberhart, in return for funds to pay off his gambling debts. She resolves to find a different beau for her niece, even as she acknowledges what a dashing candidate Lord Eberhart actually is. Lord Eberhart in the meantime wonders why he thought it was a good idea to marry Felicity, who is often tongue tied and missish, and quite unlike her charming forthright aunt.