In the depths of the sleepy countryside in the South West of England in the summer of 1775, a young curate, the Reverend Tobias Whitmore, finds himself unwittingly seduced by the comely ladies of Lesser Witteringly.

Such a delicious experience seems to haunt him as he moves to Stratton-over-Wye to become vicar of St. Margaret’s. This canny career move, engineered by his redoubtable mother, only encourages her attempts to find him a wealthy and socially ambitious bride of her choice.

However, Tobias, while coming to terms with his ministry as best he can, finds to his surprise and delight that a number of less than respectable ladies seem to take a shine to him.

Will Tobias resist his mother’s iron will to marry him off to a terrifying highest bidder? Will the naughty ladies in his life continue to deliver sensory recompense? And will he, amongst all the clerical and family pressures and lubricious temptations, manage to find true love?