"Droll, willful, 18-year-old Dolly Blanchard secretly adores childhood-playmate Richard Daventry, nephew of her stepfather. But Richard has fallen hard for Regency beauty Melisande--whom he has barely a chance of wedding, however, now that the Daventry estate is going bankrupt. So selfless Dolly, who has a personal fortune, determines to put Richard back on his financial feet, even after Richard vehemently declines a direct cash donation..."