When Miss Caroline Wentworth's father died, it was found that he had, as the saying goes, brought an abbey to a grange. Caroline, her sister Julia and their mother were forced to sell not only Wyndham Priory, but the Wentworth jewels as well. The Priory was purchased by Mr. Robert Neville, known as The Nonpareil, a very wealthy man who already had several residences. Neville had known the house in the past and wanted to see it restored to its former beauty.

The family removed to the London townhouse so that Julia could have a Season in London before the town house had to be sold as well, after which they would have to live with Aunt Needham in Bath. Neither Julia (pretty, petted and spoiled) nor her mama (who grudged no effort for her children, as long as she didn't actually have to do anything) handled their change in fortune well; it was up to Caroline, the sensible one, to deal with every difficulty. For help she often turned to Mr. Bertram Lacey, a young man who had grown up near them and was particularly attached to Julia.

Caroline's own Season had been cut short by her father's illness, but she had in that time been much courted by Viscount Ridley. She had expected that Ridley would come to her in the country, but he didn't -- instead he swiftly married another wealthier young lady. Now, two years later, Ridley and she meet again; Ridley expects to pick up where he left off, and tells her that his wife had meant nothing to him. Caroline by now has his number, but her impulsive little sister Julia does not. When Julia impulsively "borrows" the Wentworth Diamonds (because every Wentworth deb has worn them at her presentation), it is up to Caroline to fix the situation, even at the price of her growing understanding with Neville.