Brander Hansen has been refused his birthright as the oldest son due to his deafness. Furious at his father he leaves his home and younger brothers to make his way as Lord Olaf Olsen a 'discreet gentleman of discovery'. He intends to gain his own title and fortune and prove his father wrong by buying up liens on the struggling Kildahl estate.


Baroness Regin Kildahl's husband has gambled away her ancestral estate and sunk to more dangerous habits. She writes to Lord Olsen soliciting his help saving both her husband and her home. When her husband dies Regin offers herself and her title to anyone who will redeem his gambling debts unaware of Brander's plan and circumventing his efforts.


The younger Hansen heir accepts her offer and hires 'Lord Olsen' to deliver his bride unaware he has hired his estranged elder brother. As the pair travels Brander realizes they are on the trail of a serial killer. Though distracted by the chase he still wrestles with his choices: give the widow and her estate to his younger brother or claim them both as his own.