Duke's daughter Lady Ophelia Brinsby resists her parents' plans to marry her to a dull man of rank. She'd rather spend time with her bright and witty best friends who have no rank at all. When her father's strict orders to her new groom Alexander threaten to keep her from those dear friends, the rebellious Ophelia must find a way to outwit the one man clever and charming enough to stir her heart. Runaway prince Alexander is masquerading as a lowly groom in a duke's stable while he plots to save his tiny country from British domination. Now he finds that duty and desire conflict.