A funny and thematically novel story from the aristocratic environment of the second half of the 18th century.

Hugo Wilde, Duke of Lindow, has a castle where he pulls and blows ???, eight naughty children - and no wife. Ophelia, Lady Astley, has a nice house, one well-behaved daughter—and no husband. Hugo first sees Ophelia at a ball and immediately loses his heart, but Ophelia doesn't want any more children or a castle. The Duke begins courting another woman, but when he meets Ophelia again, he realizes that he must either marry Ophelia or never marry again. The biggest challenge of his life awaits him. He must convince Ophelia that he is the one for her.