Because of her father's irresponsible gambling habits, Sophia MacFarlane has just lost her house and the diamonds she inherited from her deceased mother to Dougal MacLean. Determined to regain ownership, Sophia pulls out all the stops. First, she sends her father away temporarily, so she can disguise her identity and claim that she also won the house in a gambling wager. Next, she sets about un- polishing the manor, putting damp sheets on the bed, and dusting the walls with ash.

When Dougal arrives, he is not only shocked at the estate's ramshackle appearance; he is also stunned by the beauty of Sophia, who seduces Dougal into a game of high stakes. If she beats him at a game of Chance, she gets the house. If she loses, he gets.... her "virtue." And when their game ends, Dougal and Sophia discover that they've also been gambling on love.