When her dying grandfather, the Earl of Malvern, orders Kate Byford and her aunt to London after ignoring her all her life, she is highly indignant, but obeys. Angry though she is, Kate is sorry for him when they meet. However, Kate is less willing to obey his other edict, that she marries his heir, Adam Rhydd, with whom she had an embarrassing encounter during her journey to London. She is horrified when the Earl dies, leaving her a huge inheritance provided she marries Adam, and furious when Adam sends her to an academy for young ladies, where she is to learn how to behave. Determined to escape, she embroils various friends in her attempts, but Adam, as reluctant as Kate is to obey the Earl's bidding, continually foils her.