Rose is involved in a terrible scandal and is the center of 19th-century London's rumor mill. She hopes to escape from prying eyes by accepting her cousin's invitation to spend Christmas at Morton Castle in Yorkshire, but her plans are dashed when she finds out that one of the guests is none other than Sir Miles, a Londoner who's not only heard the stories about Rose but believes them, too. He says he'd rather spar with her in a battle of wits than insult her, but what are his intentions really?