Scandalous playwright Edgar St. John is actually Irish heiress Emily Fairfax. When her alter ego is challenged to a duel by Lord Ogilvie, she has to reveal the masquerade to his second, dashing Lucius Ashford. Emily has long admired Ashford’s exploits in the society pages, but is irate to discover he is fundamentally opposed to duels. She on the other hand thinks they are dramatic and romantic. As the couple continue to debate this issue, they also start falling in love.