Lady Edith Wentworth is all that is fashionable in the higher echelons of 1820s English society. Until she learns her brother's secret that destroys any hope of her retaining her coveted place in society. Humiliated, she flees to Paris but life on her own is not as easy as she had thought it would be. Brought low and destitute by a series of poor decisions, she becomes a school teacher and meets a mysterious and alluring Irish man Peter O'Sullivan. Private investigator Peter O'Sullivan has been sent by Edith's brother Lord James Wentworth to retrieve his sister least she be hurt by those who know Lord Wentworth's secret. Shocked to discover a kind quiet woman, who by all accounts was disliked by many, he befriends her. Their feelings for each other grow as they share a love of Greek poetry until she finally learns the truth about Peter. Meeting new characters including the McCloughlin brothers, a cheeky pair of Scottish twins and the O'Connells, an Irish family who adopted Peter as one of their own, their journey home takes many turns. Some for the worst, until Peter and Lord Wentworth finally confront those who hold Lord Wentworth's secret. Will Peter sacrifice his future with Edith to save her? Will Edith forgive Peter for his betrayal?