Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore would do anything for her sister Clara. Under the protection of her dying stepfather Lord Gray, Amelia knows that without a dowry or marriage, she and Clara will soon be destitute. An invitation to the house party of her sister's suitor, Lord Gray, allows Amelia one last chance to create a future for her sister by attending.
Amelia and Clara set off for Hampshire to secure the match of this potential suitor. Along the way, Amelia realizes that Clara has forgotten her gloves at home. When she stops to purchase new gloves, she's too late. Another customer has grabbed the last pair--an irksome man by the name of Peter Wood. She leaves angry and empty handed. Upon arriving at Lakeshire Park, Amelia runs into Peter, again. She discovers that his sister, Georgiana, is also vying for Sir Ronald's attention, creating an immediate rivalry between their families. Amelia cannot be timid with her and Clara's future so uncertain. In a desperate attempt to deflect Peter from his own aspirations, Amelia negotiates a plan. Neither Peter or Amelia will arrange to put their respective sisters in situations where they might gain an unfair advantage with Sir Ronald. In return, Amelia will agree to enjoy Peter's company every afternoon.
As she comes to know Peter, Amelia is drawn to his genuine conversation and generous nature, his hopes and dreams for the future. But for Ameila, her experience of love has only caused pain and bitterness, particularly from the examples of her parents. She decides she cannot trust such feelings after so short a time. She must focus on her sister's match. For Clara's happiness, Amelia would do anything.
News arrives that Lord Gray has worsened and will die any day, leaving the sisters penniless sooner than expected. Sir Ronald has not yet proposed to Clara, and Amelia takes matters into her own hands. If she can get married, then she can care for Clara and buy her time to find a match. Fortunately, the matron of the house has a convenient match for Amelia - Mr. Pendleton, a nephew who recently lost his wife and is in need of a mother for his children. With Amelia's sacrifice, Clara will have time to follow her heart.
Still unsettled by her feelings for Peter, Amelia questions her new plan, until truth unfolds of Peter's desire to marry a titled woman. Amelia's convenient match to Mr. Pendleton makes more sense than ever. But Peter is showing more and more discontent in Amelia's decision. After he nearly declares himself, Amelia cannot allow a relationship doomed because of her lack of title. When Peter realizes why she's rejecting him, he reassures her that a title was never important to him.
Just as Peter is about to propose to Amelia, news comes of a scandalous kiss between Peter's sister, Georgiana, and Sir Ronald in a desperate attempt to claim him for herself. Ever loyal to Clara, Amelia must decide if she can tie herself to Peter now after what his sister has done. While the company tries to make sense of what has happened, and her impending poverty, Amelia writes to Mr. Pendleton to officially accept his practical proposal.
Amelia confronts Sir Ronald about the kiss, only to discover that Georgiana had hatched the idea to secure her marriage to Sir Ronald. With Amelia's encouragement, Sir Ronald proposes to Clara. Seeing her sister's happiness, Amelia takes a walk under the rising sun and realizes that love is worth fighting for. She rushes to beg for Peter's affections and favor. He has the letter she wrote to her suitor and begs her to reconsider her choice. She does, and they share a kiss and agree to marry.
