Evangeline has come to Fern 二By Hall to host a house party, not to fall in love with an old friend

Beautiful, vivacious, and extremely wealthy, the widowed countess, Evangeline Payne, may take every opportunity to entertain herself that she wishes. Her favorite pastime? Refusing ever offer of marriage that comes her way. Especially from her favorite scoundrel, Basil Morley, whose antics as her would-be suitor have kept her in stitches for years. His promises of someday wooing, winning and wifing her are utter nonsense. It is all fun and games between them, both knowing his main objective is her vast fortune.

She also knows Basil, ruined by foreign travels, only cares about amusing himself through absurd pranks, outrageous wagers, and the usual pursuits of a rake. To allow him into one's heart would be beyond foolish. But as loneliness creeps into her life, Basil's constant friendship is seen in a new light, and at a house party in Hertfordshire, clues to the real man hiding behind Basil's roguish facade are too curious not to investigate, forcing her to realize that perhaps he is not the cordial rake he makes himself out to be.