Madelaine Vardy, friend of Beth Brandon, fears that her mother is arranging an unpalatable marriage for her. Madelaine finds the émigré Comte de Boisvalloné repulsive and believes he is only after her inheritance. She is only weeks from reaching her majority and taking control of her own fortune, and fears her mother is trying to force her to marry before that happens. Beth organises an escape, and sends her friend to be governess to the ward of her uncle, Adam Brandon, Baron Darsham. Beth hopes to match-make between Adam and Madelaine. Madelaine is happy in Adam's household apart from the spite of a jealous and malicious maid servant, who tries to make trouble for Madelaine. Her spite backfires, when Madelaine and Adam are forced to confront their growing feelings for each other. However, the Comte de Boisvalloné has not forgotten Madelaine, and he concocts a reckless and desperate plan to gain control of Madelaine and her money.