The frivolous rake John Fitzhugh Wickerley was quite happy with his life: he was lucky in the game, he changed his mistresses like gloves and did not think about marriage. But one day everything changed... His elder brother died, and now John - the young Earl of Dancroft - is forced to immediately marry in order to acquire an heir, and at the same time improve the financial affairs of the family. However, the earl's attention, as if it were a sin, is attracted not by the rich metropolitan heiress, but by the modest beautiful Abigail Merryweather. She has a poor farm on her hands, and four younger brothers and sisters. So why, having accidentally met this girl, John was inflamed with passion for her at first sight?..