[2] After the death of the Earl of Spenborough all are shocked when they discover that the late Earl has appointed Ivo Barrasford, Marquess of Rotherham, and formerly engaged to Lady Serena Carlow, to be Serena's trustee.

Serena moves to Bath with her young stepmother, Fanny, where she meets up with Major Hector Kirkby, a love interest from six years past.

At first furious and contemptuous of his ward, Rotherham soon realises that they had all made a mistake and tries to make his betrothed cry off.

A row between guardian and ward ensues with Rotherham storming off to make sure that his engagement over.

Lady Serena Carlow - the heroine, 25, daughter of the 5th earl of Spenborough Ivo Spencer Barrasford, Marquess of Rotherham - former fiancé of Lady Serena, appointed her trustee upon the death of her father until her marriage by his consent, Late 30s, wears breeches, top boots and Belcher neckties Fanny Carlow, Lady Spenborough, Dowager Countess of Spenborough, widow of the 5th earl, Serena's stepmother and friend, 23 Hartley Carlow, 6th Earl of Spenborough, cousin of the 5th earl, his country seat is Milverly Major Hector Kirkby - a suitor of Serena's rejected by the earl when he was a Captain Emily Laleham - a debutante Lady Laleham - a social climber trying to dissociate herself from her mercantile past Mrs Floore - Lady Laleham's mother, widow of Mr Sebden, a gentleman, and Mr Ned Floore, a soap maker Mr Goring - a merchant's son educated at Rugby and Cambridge Gerard Monksleigh - one of Lord Rotherham's wards, a child of a cousin Lady Theresa Eaglesham - Serena's aunt