Lavinia Tempest sees her chances for a spectacular London season ruined by revelations about her mother's scandalous past, but Alaster "Tuck" Rowland, who is partly responsible for Lavinia's downfall, takes on the task of restoring her reputation.

Daphne Dale's budding romance with the pseudonymous suitor with whom she is exchanging love letters faces difficulties when he turns out to be Lord Henry Seldon, whose family and hers are sworn enemies.

In order to claim a vast fortune, Tabitha Timmons, a penniless spinster, must marry the very respectable Mr. Barkworth, but finds herself torn between the good fortune that guarantees her security and her feelings for the Duke of Preston, who vows to save her from a passionless union.