Bella Traherne is wealthy thanks to her Nabob uncle, and in Harrogate she is so pursued for her money that she decides to visit Bath incognito. There she might find a man who loves her for herself. Meanwhile Lord Dorney is wary of heiresses, as his brother was ruined by marriage to one. The despair of matchmaking mothers, he is attracted to Bella's spirited defense of hapless girls, children, and dogs. Bath breathlessly awaits developments in their romance until Lord Dorney discovers Bella's deception and leaves for London. Trying to ignore her loss, Bella decides to concentrate on her scheme to house orphan children in small homes, but then her enemies take a hand with fateful consequences.