She might even be falling in love with him.
Rufus is desperately in need of an heiress. His castle is falling down and he is in dire financial straits. He knows what society thinks of him, and he has his secrets, but Averil might be just the wife he needs. And the more he gets to know Averil, the more he likes her, so the last thing he wants is for her to believe he is pursuing her for her fortune. When Averil visits his castle and learns the truth, their romance seems to have come to an abrupt end.
Or has it? Rufus decides to do everything in his power to save it.