When her engagement to her childhood bully is announced, Alice Coleman the gentle-hearted and serious daughter of an impoverished noble family is utterly aghast. In a desperate bid to find someone to stand in as an alternate fianc, she blurts out a proposal to the wealthy, high ranking son of a Duke, Arthur Grindelbard. And to her shock, he accepts. Despite the strange beginning of their engagement, Arthur is an adoring fianc to Alice, eager to spoil her with luxurious gifts and earn her affection. But behind his charming smile and solicitous attention lies a deeper intent and focus, hints of a man who has had his eye upon Alice for far longer than he cares to admit