The Importance of Being Wanton

Emma Gately and Charles Hayden, the Earl of Scarsdale, have been engaged since childhood. Their marriage seems inevitable, until Emma declares her independence and breaks it off. Roguish Charles is taken aback at how much the rejection stings, and is beguiled by the new independent Emma. Meanwhile, Emma has become a key member of the Mismatch Society, an all-women organization that discourages marriage. In an effort to gain her attention, Charles starts a rival intellectual club that’s open to both men and women. His society gets adulation from the press, while Emma’s continues to be disparaged, much to her fury. Emma tries to confront Charles on several occasions, but their encounters keep turning from argumentative to amorous, leaving Emma torn between principles and desire. Both characters continually reveal new facets of their personalities (Is Charles really the debauched duke he proclaims to be? Is Emma so indifferent to romance?), which keeps the story fresh and engaging.