To his intense annoyance, Lord Barnstaple discovered he must have a wife in order to inherit his uncle's fortune. As Kate Netley wanted a husband to show her erstwhile lover exactly what she thought of him, it seemed to her that a match between the two of them must be the most suitable thing in the world. Since the idea had not occurred to Lord Barnstaple himself, there was nothing for it but for Kate to put the proposal to the earl. Taken aback, his lordship at first refused. But then he started to come around to the idea ...