Annabel Winslow is a country girl at heart. She's staying with her grandparents in London for The Season with the intention of finding a husband wealthy enough to save her family from poverty. Annabel dislikes the idea of marrying a man she does not love, but her sense of duty runs deep. She's smart, expressive, and her figure is constantly compared to that of a "fertility goddess."

Sebastian Grey is in limbo. He's next in line to become the Earl of Newbury unless the current Earl, a despicable, portly man in his 60's, can find a bride who will bear him a son. Society is not quite sure what to make of Sebastian — on one hand he's handsome, charming, and may be extremely rich one day. On the other hand, he may wind up poor as a pauper. To complicate matters, the Earl of Newbury despised Sebastian's father, and consequently hates Sebastian as well.

When Annabel (quite inconveniently) becomes the object of both of their affections, a series of whirlwind events ensues. She knows that marriage to an Earl may be the only thing that will save her family from ruin, but the thought of submitting to Newbury disgusts her. And Sebastian's tempting touch certainly doesn't help. It soon becomes clear that Annabel must choose between her family's livelihood, and her one true love...