As one of the two remaining unmarried Beverley sisters, Belinda considered herself the last hope for Mannerling, the beloved estate gambled away by their father. Each of her four elder sisters had hoped--even schemed--to marry one of Mannerling's successive owners. But all had chosen true love over their ancestral home. Practical and duty-bound, Belinda would woo and wed Lord St. Clair, current holder of the estate. True, he was a silly fop, hardly what she desired in a husband, but she vowed to make the man love her--even at the expense of her own happiness. However, dashing Lord Gyre could hardly ignore the ridiculous drama. Belinda was far too good for that dandy St. Clair. Therefore, his lordship decided it was his duty to win the lovely Belinda's heart!