Will Dorning, as the Earl of Casriel's heir, and older brother to four rambunctious brothers, sees his life as one of duty and drudgery. He guards the earl's back, and keeps a watchful eye on his siblings, though his only real companions are the dogs he's treasured since boyhood; Lady Susannah Haddonfield has no patience with loud, smelly beasts of any species, but must learn to appear to like dogs so as not to offend her sister's only marital prospect.

Susannah turns to Will, an acquaintance from the most awkward years of her adolescence, to teach her how to get along with canines. Will instead teaches her how to get along with him, and with her siblings, until Susannah must choose between her favorite lone wolf and placid propriety.