The noise, pretension, and insalubrious odors of London have driven Miss Lavinia Taylor to a Cotswold village -- and a larger residence to accommodate her collection of stray animals. Her serene existence, however, is soon turned upside down by the neighbor she rescues from a curricle accident. For while Charles Templeton may be a marquess and the handsomest of men, she judges him quite the clumsiest gentleman of her acquaintance. Why, then, is everyone below stairs plotting a match between them? A scandalous liaison has necessitated Charles' abrupt return to his estate. But country life quite robs him of his savoir faire -- not to mention his skill with the ribbons! And he cannot seem to win an argument with the sensible, bold Lavinia -- whom he deems a dowd even while he finds himself at her mercy. How is it his servants find her as admirable as he finds her maddening... and, he must soon admit, captivating? This once-debonair lord must prove himself polished enough to engage her affections and win her heart forever....