Tristan, fourth Earl of Trentham, laments his return to England after so much adventure during the Napoleonic Wars. With his fellow bachelors, he founds the Bastion Club for privileged gentlemen committed to avoiding marriage at all cost. But when Tristan learns that he must take a wife within a year or risk losing his inheritance, he is surprised to find himself drawn to his pretty neighbor, Leonora Carling, the recent victim of burglary. Offering to help her identify the scoundrel, he soon makes hie other intentions crystal clear. But Leonora needs some convincing before she fully submits to his lustful advances.