The engagement of Julia Lambert to Richard Beaumont is the event of the year to her parents, but for her cousin and childhood companion, Eliza Stanhope, it is a matter of scorn. One should marry for love, not advantage and anyhow, Richard Beaumont is both self-satisified and boring. However, his presence leads to unexpected consequences. His younger brother, Francis, recently returned from the Peninsular war, comes to visit with his fellow officer, Pelham Howell. In Francis, Eliza meets a spirit as fierce as her own; in Pelham she discovers charm and devotion.