Then a middle-aged marquis sweeps (politely walks) into her life and offers her a marriage of convenience—he needs a wife to satisfy his family, and she needs security.
"[2] Impoverished gentlewoman Emily Fox Seton is on temporary trial for hire as personal secretary to exacting Lady Maria Byrne.
Overbearing Lady Maria is pressuring her reluctant widowed nephew, Lord James Walderhurst, to remarry and has arranged to present several suitable candidates to him at an evening soiree.
At the soiree, finding both favored candidates beautiful but tedious, Walderhurst appeals to Emily to switch place cards next to him at dinner to spare him from further inane conversation.
Waiting outside, Lord Walderhurst apologizes to Emily for causing her dismissal, escorting her to her shabby lodgings to ensure her safety.
The next day Walderhurst calls on Emily to propose a marriage of convenience, rationalizing that he has observed her to be a refined, sensible woman who would understand his requirements in a wife.
Lady Maria tells her that Alec had counted on being heir to the Marquess title and estates, with Walderhurst remaining unmarried.
When Litton is found dead in a pond, the alarmed servants vacate the house, leaving Emily alone with the Osbornes and Jane, who Alec has begun to seduce.
Emily Fox Seaton – Lydia Wilson Lord James Walderhurst - Linus Roache Jane – Sarah Ridgeway Captain Alec Osborn – James D’Arcy Lady Maria Byrne – Joanna Lumley Hester Osborn – Hasina Haque Ameerah – Souad Faress Mr. Litton – Malcolm Storry Mrs. Litton – Claire Hackett Mrs. Parke – Maggie Fox Annabelle Rivers – Victoria Ross Agatha Slade – Lucy Gape