Alyssa Eliot, obliged to live with her grasping mother and petulant half-sister after an argument with the grandfather who brought her up, tries to figure out how to let down the young swain who believes himself in love with her. Hearing of the romance, his father, the Duke of Carlyle, a handsome widower, is determined to prevent a betrothal, but is confused when Alyssa does not seem to be the vulgar adventuress he expected. In fact, to his growing dismay, she is increasingly appealing to him.