In 18th century London, Letitia and Doricourt have been engaged since childhood, with the stipulation that if they go through with the marriage, they will jointly inherit a great estate, but if either one calls off the wedding, the other one inherits the estate in its entirety. Now in their 21st year, both of them are determined to get the other one to call off the wedding – through deception, seduction, artifice or entrapment. Meanwhile, in 18th century London, the playwright Hannah Cowley attempts to write a light romantic comedy about two characters named Letitia and Doricourt, while her marriage, and her relationship with the theater, fall apart.