After their father's death, Miss Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to 1811 London to meet their guardian, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, Lord Worth is not much older than they are, doesn't want the office of guardian any more than they want him, and is determined to thwart all their interests and return them to the country. But when Judith and Peregrine begin to move in the highest social circles, Lord Worth cannot help but entangle himself with his adventuresome wards.