When your father is a man of expensive tastes and schemes but very little money, you soon learn to 'make do'. So when Caroline Fortune's prodigal father finally admits to losing all they possess, she automatically starts seeking employment as a governess. Her father, however, has far grander designs for his daughter...Caroline is to become the companion of the formidable (but extremely wealthy and childless) Mrs Catling. Caroline herself is uncomfortable with the plan but makes the most of this introduction to polite society and soon her beauty and intelligence attract the attentions of male admirers. But, much to her horror, she is just as quick to discover that love and romance are not what some 'gentlemen' seek. Surrounded by people with an alarming readiness to reveal each other's confidences, Caroline is exasperated to find herself unjustly implicated in their indiscretions. But will Miss Fortune be able to avoid losing her reputation without losing her head? And will she realise that there is at least one good man amongst the genteel set who is more than willing to take her side and, indeed, her fancy?