In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman will do anything to avoid matrimony to the county's finest suitors and to justly prove she doesn't need a husband to find her way in society. Even under the peril of her uncle losing his property and business to debt. In all but two months, she must prove to her family she's more than capable without a husband and can, in fact, exceed society's expectations of the female sex. But what woman can write what she hardly knows of the world, and its secrets? And most of all, how far is she willing to prove herself toward society and the Lord? At what cost for love?

Maxmillian Knightley has returned from university in London, now facing the looming title of marquis. With that title comes responsibility to interact with those he despises most, and with which he must fight for his inheritance. But how far will he go in order to grow favor in the scrutiny of society and his stiff-neck father? He may be everything a woman of the ton looks for in a husband - titled, wealthy, and cheek bones that can draw in any woman - but he is in no mood to humor eligible women by participating in all things reformed. The question is: how far will he go to do everything against his own sensibility and judgment?

For inheritance ... or for loyalty and love? The only common enlightenment between two entirely different sexes? A fondness for penmanship and our humorous Lord who writes the very novelty of life itself. And what happens if proving oneself leads to something quite worse? When it comes to love, making the right choices, these two are their own worst enemies.