The novel is set in Bath, Somerset and centres on two main characters: Miss Abigail Wendover and Mr Miles Calverleigh.
At the beginning of the novel, Abigail's niece Fanny claims to have formed a mutual "lasting attachment" with Stacy Calverleigh, to Abigail's dismay. Stacy is reputed to be a "gamester", a "loose fish", and a "gazetted fortune-hunter"—that is, he has a gambling habit, is a libertine, and is on the look-out for a wealthy marriage. Abigail enlists the assistance of Stacy's uncle, Miles Calverleigh, to prevent a clandestine marriage between Stacy and Fanny. Miles is the black sheep of the Calverleigh family, but Abigail finds herself attracted to his wit and unconventionality. However, Abigail tries to keep her attraction for Miles under wraps, out of concern for expected disapproval from her brother (who would try to curtail her ability to have her own household if he knew) and her chaperoning older sister.
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