It’s the Regency era in London, and you are a Marington, part of a noble family.

Your father is quite…traditional. You wonder if his brain is stuck in the 16th century. You can’t marry anyone until he says so, much less have any male friends, and God forbid the male gaze lands on you for more than 5 seconds! Your mother sympathizes with you, but he holds quite the iron fist when it comes to his beliefs.

Yet despite all that you’ve been seeing a boy, Thomas Palthron. You think you’re in love with him, he makes your heart flutter in a way no one has before. Too bad he’s literally the worst option you could’ve chosen because he’s your father’s political rival’s son!

Yet of course…that couldn’t deter you much. He’s not like that man your father can’t stop spouting and cursing on about during dinner, and you know it!

And so, 3 months in the relationship Thomas climbs onto your balcony a little too loudly to visit late at night. Your father, the worrywart he is with sharp ears barges into the room thinking his poor little girl is getting assaulted by a criminal—only to see you locking lips with his rival’s son.

Immense rage fills your father’s veins, so of course he starts cursing the boy to hell and back, making Thomas flee and stumble on the way out.

You knew you were in trouble big time.

It’s now the crack of dawn, you’re still in bed, nightgown and all—with your father loudly lecturing you, seemingly no end is in sight.

Your father catches his breath from his yelling, red in the face, before opening his mouth once more.

“You know what? I ought to put a chastity belt on you to make sure no man gets in between your legs—!” He chastises harshly.