The young ladies from the town of Kempton never marry - not unless they want to bring down the Curse of Kempton on their poor unsuspecting husbands. But Tabitha Timmons soon learns she is to inherit a fortune - if and only if - she gets married to her deceased uncle's god-nephew. Never having given marriage an ounce of consideration, this reluctant bride (and test case) is soon off to London to meet her unknown intended. The rakish Duke of Preston has taken refuge on a stormy night in the same inn as Tabitha, and the two of them share an impetuous kiss. But when they reunite in London, he is shocked to discover that, for all her protests against marriage, this red-haired minx is engaged. She is just as furious to discover the man she thought might be a by-blow is actually a duke. But they cannot deny their attraction for each other, and it is up to Preston to convince Tabitha that he is the perfect bridegroom to end the Kempton curse.