'Twas Ever Thus

A young woman, ensnared by the posthumous decree of a patriarch, finds her romantic destiny dictated by an unseen relative. In a defiant act of self-preservation, she orchestrates a masterful masquerade, transforming herself into a dowdy spinster, a veritable antidote to attraction. Her calculated ruse, however, backfires splendidly when the intended victim of her scheme reveals himself to be an utterly captivating gentleman. This unexpected charm ignites a spark of genuine interest, compelling her to abandon her charade and embark on an audacious pursuit across vast stretches of land. The ensuing imbroglio escalates into a delightful tangle of mistaken identity and farcical circumstance, as the gentleman, having only witnessed her initial, unappealing guise, procures a 'wife' – a burly cowboy – as an unlikely shield. This bizarre protective measure unwittingly creates fertile ground for authentic affection, culminating in a revelatory brawl that shatters all illusions, exposing the true, undeniable masculinity of his 'chaperone' and paving the way for a most unconventional, yet inevitable, romance.