Zoey faces family pressure to marry within three years or lose her position as head of the Spence family to her cousin Julia, who threatens to take control of their family business. Despite offers of wealth and security, Zoey refuses to marry without love and plans a traditional embroidered ball to find a husband. Meanwhile, her family arranges prominent suitors, including the promising and widowed top scholar Ian Shaw, who is suddenly offered the hand of Princess Anna by the king. Ian, however, declines the royal marriage, setting up a tense choice ahead.