Abandoned by his mother and raised by a tyrannical father, a young rogue vowed long ago to harden his heart against emotion. So when his fortune is lost, he sets his sights on a marriage of convenience and riches. But as he makes his way to the estate of a very eligible young mistress, he finds his route riddled with treacherous bogs, bungling thieves, and a beautiful waif in petticoats who may mean much more to him than any amount of money.