Lord James Melton is the second oldest brother and the first spare, heir apparent unless his brother has a son. He resides in a townhouse in London during the Season where he enjoys a well-earned reputation as a Rake. But James adores his nieces and always visits the Dorset Estate in the off-season. Abigail is the middle daughter of five. Her mother has already married off 4 daughters, finances are low and she is now ailing in health. They have moved from a large house in Bath to a smaller sea-front townhouse in Weymouth for the sea bathing which her doctor recommended. When a chance encounter has James and Abigail meeting, the rake is delighted to have a new lady to pursue and plots to have her invited to a soiree at the Duke's Estate. He soon finds out she has been scorned by society thanks to a jilted engagement, and thinks that makes her mistress material. Abigail believes James is genuinely courting her, but becomes wary when she hears the gossip about his rakish ways. Her fears become reality when James makes a mistress proposal to Abigail. Understandably, the gently born lady is outraged. When James realises that Abigail is the one for him, how will he make the lady forgive him for everything he's done?

Lord Robert Melton is a successful barrister in London. Despite having the knack of speaking amongst his peers, he is incredibly shy when in the presence of a lady. As always, he returns to his family's country estate in the off-Season to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Weymouth. That is where he meets the beautiful Lady Julia, a woman who instantly calms him and brings him out of the shell of his reserved nature. Julia is in Weymouth as a companion to her Great-Aunt Arabella. It is there that her cousin, Freddy, arrives unexpectedly and demands his Aunt settle all his gambling debts and makes unwelcome advances on Julia. The two women seek the help of their barrister neighbour, Lord Robert, and it is there Julia finds a true gentleman. But Freddy will not be put off so easily. He is determined to marry Julia, even if it means he has to ruin her to do it.

The Duke and his wife have been married for many years, but their arranged marriage never flourished into love... until now. Emma has a lovely life, three growing daughters, vast wealth and status. What she doesn't have is the love of her husband, but she had his respect. Until Joseph, Charles' cousin, begins to pursue her, and her husband accuses her of being unfaithful. Emma can't fathom the insult, and decides that it is best to visit her parents estate, where her mother is unwell, and tend to her. She misses Charles, but is heartbroken by his words and doesn't know how to mend their marriage. Can the Duke find his way to love? Or will Joseph succeed in seducing Emma and ruining her marriage once and for all?