'I have my pride. I have sworn to marry the girl, and marry her I will.'

After ten long years, the Earl of Devenham has returned to wed Mary Anstey, only to find that their feelings for each other have cooled off considerably. Nevertheless, they both put on bright faces for the benefit of family and friends.

But Mary's younger sister Emily sees through their masquerade and would sacrifice anything rather than see her retiring sister married to the now-haughty earl.

Desperate measures were called for: a sleeping draught in Mary's wedding-morning chocolate and Emily could don the veil and then force an annulment once the trick was discovered.

It was the kind of plot that could—and would—get young Emily into trouble.