Description
To Arabella Tallant, the eldest daughter of a penniless country clergyman, the invitation to stay with her London godmother was like the key to heaven. In addition to living in the glamorous city, Arabella might even find a suitable husband there. Armed with beauty, virtue and a benevolent godmother, the impetuous but impoverished Arabella embarked on her first London season with her mother's wish in mind: snare a rich husband.
On her way to London, Arabella's carriage breaks down outside the hunting lodge of the wealthy and socially prominent Robert Beaumaris, and fate casts her in his path. Arabella's only fault is impetuosity; her pride is stung when she overhears a remark from her arrogant host, who accuses her of being another petty woman after his wealth. The proud, headstrong ingenue makes a most startling claim — she is an heiress. The pretense deeply amuses the jaded Beaumaris. To counter her white lie, Beaumaris launches her into high society, thereby exposing her to all manner of amorous fortune hunters and other embarrassments.
Suddenly Arabella found herself the talk of the ton, pursued by some of the most eligible young men of the day. But only one caught her fancy: Beaumaris, the handsome and devoted bachelor. She should know better than to be provoked by the nonpareil Beau, but would her deceitful charade destroy her one chance for true love?
Beaumaris, however, although a most artful matrimonial dodger, badly underestimated his seemingly naive adversary. When compassionate Arabella rescues unfortunate creatures — a mistreated chimney sweep and a mixed-breed mongrel among them — she foists them upon Beaumaris. He finds he rather enjoys the role of rescuer and is soon given the opportunity to prove his worth in the person of Bertram Tallant, Arabella's also-impetuous young brother.