Miss Harriet Burton, a horrendously rich American heiress, is undeniably bad ton. She laughs too loud, states her opinion directly, and even conducts science experiments in chemistry. Her uncle is desperate to get her off his hands and is offering a king's ransom to anyone able to arrange not only a suitable marriage but one that comes with a title. She swears off all men in favour of more bookish pursuits, until she meets a reserved Scottish lord. Duncan Maclachlan, Earl of Thornton has a mother whose exorbitant spending habits have left him in financial ruin. His mother demands he marry a girl with societal connections and a hefty dowry to pay off her extensive debts.