Arriving home from school, Bertilla is sad to find her home unprepared for her and her widowed mother is far from pleased to see her. Even worse, Lady Alvinston, a celebrated society beauty, makes it clear that she has no intention of allowing her pretty 18-year-old daughter anywhere near the glittering London social scene she enjoys so much herself. As her mother continues her scheming to snare a wealthy husband before her looks fade, the last thing she needs is Bertilla making it obvious that she is old enough to have a grown daughter. So when handsome Lord Saire, the prize amongst all the eligible bachelors, happens upon Bertilla at a railway station, Lady Alvinston determines that their paths shall never cross again.