Grace Davenport, daughter of the deceased Earl of Canby, has been left to the guardianship of the Calhouns. Life at Bendham Court has never been particularly comfortable, the Calhouns are cold and their daughter Harriet is positively mean. Still, Grace does not look for much beyond a place to lay her head. Upon turning seventeen, Grace discovers that she is penniless and that Mr. Calhoun has a plan to send her to America. When her ship doesn’t sail, they are forced to take Grace with them to London for Harriet’s first season. The Calhouns’ attempts at hiding Grace so that they are not forced to pay her way only take them so far. Lady Brandonhurst steps in and, through that delightfully eccentric lady, Grace meets the Duke of Cortland. The Duke is entranced, but the Calhouns are determined to keep them apart. Though it seemed her only difficulty was poverty, Grace begins to suspect something darker is afoot. Will the Duke unravel the secret before Grace disappears forever?