Lady Verity Osborne's familiar world is shattered when her despicable husband auctions her off to the highest bidder. A disgusted Lord James Harkness takes notice of the barbaric "bride sale" and outbids the Cornish townsfolk to save the proud beauty from a future sure to be filled with misery. As James takes care of Verity, providing food and shelter, she comes to love-- and crave the touch of-- the mysterious, brooding lord.