The death of her parents has more than the usual devastating consequences for Sarah Davenport. She swiftly answers Lady Templeton's advertisement for a companion and, deemed too young for the role, finds herself instead the governess to Lady Templeton's great-niece.

Trouble looms with the return of the children's guardian, James, Lord Randall, who is angered to find the children are having fun under the outspoken rule of their new governess.

Discovering that she is the target of tutor Mr Haversage's unwanted attentions is bad enough. Worse still, Sarah realizes that she is irresistibly drawn to Lord Randall, who has made it quite clear that he desires a quiet, biddable girl for a wife.