Diana Boyle, a wealthy young widow living a quiet life on the outskirts of London, has no desire to ever marry again. When fortune-hunting suitors begin arriving on her doorstep, she's furious to discover her name and address have been published in a directory of England's most affluent unmarried women. Diana confronts the author of the document, Maxwell Dean, and is dismayed to find he is far more attractive than his actions have led her to expect. Still, Diana is unmoved by Max's explanation that he authored the list to assist younger sons like himself who cannot afford to marry unless it's to a woman of means. She gathers the ladies in the directory together to inform them of its existence, so they may circumvent fortune hunters' efforts to trick them into marriage. Though outraged, the women decide to embrace their unique position of power and reverse the usual gender roles by making the men dance to their tune. As Max and Diana spend more time together, Max finds himself caring more and more for Diana, not her fortune. But he knows Diana will continue to doubt his sincerity... unless he can find a way to prove that to him, she's the real prize.