When Eustacia Hope is jilted at the altar, her parents decide to save her reputation by sending her to stay with her godmother, Lady Agatha Rayner. Eustacia is warned to stay away from Lady Agatha's brother, the notorious Lord Ashbourne, and his son, Lord Ilam. However, there is a mutual attraction between Ilam and Eustacia.

Jessie Warburton was been hopelessly in love with the rakish Earl of Ashbourne for years. Tired of being ignored, she accepts the proposal of the Reverend Henry Lusty, and goes to London to stay with Mrs. Machin, her fiancé's sister. Mrs. Machin, a secret writer of sensational novels, is delighted to learn that her visitor is closely acquainted with a rake, and seeks to take advantage of the situation. To help her hostess with her writing, Jessie immerses herself in London life, and the earl experiences a change of role, as he finds himself having to keep a watchful eye over her. In London, Jesse blossoms, and Ashbourne becomes attracted to her, but he is not her only admirer. Will Jessie make the right choice?

Evangeline Granby is so tired of her aunt's lectures on morality that she allows a handsome young gallant to take her to an inn—where they indulge in a desperate and very improper flirtation. Never expecting to see him again, Evangeline is horrified to discover that he is the Reverend Michael Buckleigh, the newly appointed curate for the village where she lives. Michael is just as horrified, for he has already blotted his copybook and this new appointment is his last chance to make amends. The attraction between the pair flares at subsequent meetings, but Michael knows that, however spoiled Evangeline may be, her father will never consent to their blossoming love. Soon Michael must face the infamous Lord Ashbourne and risk everything he has so that he and Evangeline might attain the happiness they yearn for.