Fifteen-year-old Miss Penelope Lumley, a governess trained at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, takes the three Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place to London, England, and learns they are under a curse.

Miss Drewsmina Trelayne seeks the assistance of Ian Clayback, the Duke of Lachlan, to open a finishing school, starting with his nieces as private clients. Affording Drew's services isn't a problem for Lachlan, but his growing desire for her is. When they're caught in a scandalous embrace, nothing short of marriage will save all of them from further scandal. Can a marriage made in haste be love's saving grace?