Who would miss the most hated man in England? Serpentine Fforbes, the new Earl of Sanderly, is known to be a cheat, a libertine, and a blackguard. The ton thrills to the news that he is fleeing the country. Harriet Cole, seeking the protection of her godmother Lady Grandison, steps off the stagecoach at the Duck and Spoon, with several children in tow, to find the inn bursting at the seams with rowdy sporting gentlemen to whom the landlord has let their promised rooms. Enter Lord Sanderly with the most shocking behaviour of all - and yet Harriet and the children end up with his room. For no obvious reason, Sanderly decides to obey the heartfelt summons of his sister - to Lady Grandison's country house party. Bizarrely, despite the other guests' ill-concealed dismay at his presence, Harriet seems to like him; and that, amongst all the intrigues of the party and the mischief of the fun-loving Coles, could be his final downfall.