Eleanor Wheeler married into misery. Now widowed, marrying again is the only way to save her sister and herself from their brother's drunken temper. Mr. Bancroft offers her such an escape if she can gain his mother's approval at the family's house party.

Eleanor quickly discovers that obtaining Mrs. Bancroft's blessing is near impossible. A matter only complicated further when she stumbles across a fellow guest in the middle of the night. Despite fear of scandal, Eleanor cannot resist the Marquess' easy manner, which appeals to her heart in a way Mr. Bancroft never could.

However, losing Mr. Bancroft would be disastrous to her sister's future. As her past begins to catch up with her, Eleanor desperately holds the Marquess at arm's length in an attempt to preserve her plans. As the house party draws to a close, she must choose between a safe bet or following her heart.