Desire and wit in high society Regency England. Miss Amy Pringle arrives at Lancaster Hall to pursue her engagement to Lord Fitzroy, eldest son of the Earl and heir to a fortune. The Earl, however, is not impressed, and sets out to break her spirit. But the trouble for him is that she enjoys every one of his 'punishments' and creates havoc at the Hall, provoking the stuffy Earl at every opportunity. Meanwhile, the young Lord remains aloof, and, in order to win his affections, Amy sets about seducing his well-endowed but dim brother. When she is discovered in bed with him and a servant girl, how will father and son react?