 Compulsive gambler, Sir Giles Staverley is tricked into gambling away his home by his old adversary Lord Harry Wrotham. As Staverley is distraught and desperate, Wrotham gives him one last chance - he will gamble everything Staverley has lost against Staverley s daughter s hand in marriage and her trust fund of 80,000 guineas. Staverley agress and loses once again, but unable to face his daughter, Serena, he kills himself. Lord Justin Vulcan, a notoriously cold, clear headed gambler challenges Wrotham for the house and the girl and, much to Wrotham s disgust, wins. Justin now finds himself in possession of the house and Serena, but has no idea of what to do with them. After meeting Serena and realising that she is much younger and more beautiful than he had imagined, he installs her as a guest at Mandrake, his family home, despite the hatred of Justin s mother, Lady Harriet Vulcan. As Lady Vulcan attempts to marry Serena off to anyone except her son, Serena and Justin become friends and he teaches her about Mandrake, the home he loves. A crisis forces Serena and Justin to confront their feelings for each other. Can the course of true love run smooth for them?