Arabella Haligon has had enough. After a life spent under constant pressure to marry as quickly and as well as possible, an embarrassing incident involving scarlet punch and a white gown at one of London's most important balls is the very last straw. She, along with four dear friends who have always shared her views, declare their intention to never marry - and her parents promptly pack her off to her aunt's house, where she can live in peaceful disgrace and indulge in her passion for gardening. Exactly what Arabella wanted... apart, perhaps, from a slight feeling of opportunities missed.
When Henry Spall, Duke of Marton, retires to his country estate for a month of peace away from the pressures of the ton, the last person he expects to find stealing plants from his expensive collection is Miss Arabella Haligon. After the disastrous incident with the punch, he'd expected the woman to disappear completely - but here she is, honest and confident in a way he's never seen before. So sure of herself that the Duke, despite a life lived in accordance with the rules, finds himself powerfully attracted to breaking at least a few of them. Soon, a passion forms that neither of them can deny. But Arabella is determined to choose freedom, even at the cost of her own happiness - can she ever be convinced?