London's most scandalous bachelor has finally gone too far. Caught in a situation that was innocent but too compromising, James Simpson is forced to admit that he must do the honorable thing and marry the lady. Unfortunately, marriage alone will not be enough to appease her father. He won't agree to do a dowry unless James can find a suitable husband for the lady's elder sister - the shy and awkward Lucinda Cardington.

Lucinda doesn't care that she is close to being 'on the shelf'; she has more serious pursuits in mind. She enjoys the friendship she and James share over their love of photography, but she leaves dreams of romance to silly young ladies like her sister. James does manage to find a match for Lucinda, and his efforts to get them together are about to succeed...until James comes to the distressing realisation that he doesn't want Lucinda in anyone's arms but his own.