In part because he is a dissolute fool, but also for a reason that is ultimately revealed, Viscount Alford (Thomas) signs a proxy document incorrectly, becomes too drunk to attend the proxy ceremony and finds himself the husband of sophisticated and educated diplomatic hostess Florence Washburn (Florrie). Florrie has expected to be married by proxy to Thomas’ ambitious but amiable younger brother, Kit, and to return within days to Europe to help him advance his diplomatic career. She hates Thomas’ boorish and reckless ways and well remembers how he tormented her as a child. Furthermore she is enraged by the humiliation of his non-appearance at the wedding and subsequent arrival, dishevelled, even dirty and most certainly drunk. He dislikes her with equal fervour. They are in total agreement that the marriage must be annulled.
Florrie's father and Thomas’ father, have other ideas. They send their respective "children" out of London to a remote location to await a resolution and to avoid the enthusiastic gossip about the “marriage”. To the couple’s horror, when they arrive separately at a remote location, they discover that their fathers have sent them to the same house - where escape is not the easiest solution.
Initially, Thomas. continues to act the unscrupulous and childish fool and Florrie the condemnatory and affronted adult, but consanguinity and various adventures change all that.