Lady Elvina, the daughter of the Earl Winwood, is rich, beautiful, and in love. Any day now captain Andrew Broadmoor will propose to her, but she overhears him saying that he does not love her and would only marry her for her money. Elvina flees, traveling to Cumberland, where she hears that the Duke of Castleforde is looking for a governess for his unruly sister, Violet. Concealing her true identity, Elvina presents herself as plain Mrs. Winters, and in Violet she finds a troubled, rebellious young girl who needs her help. She begins to grow close to the duke, but as their love flowers, she realizes that his duty to his great house comes first, and that duty forbids him from marrying a mere governess. It would be simple for Elvina to tell him the truth, but pride prevents her; if he won't marry her for herself alone, then she'll have none of him.