Alice Pendleton has fallen on hard times in more ways than one. With her father's business ruined she has no option but to seek employment at Castlebridge Hall, where her privileged upbringing ill suits her to domestic service. As a consequence she is frequently on the caning stool. But even as she struggles to avoid the almost-constant punishments, there is a new element about to be added to the Hall that might change everything. In an effort to revive its fortunes, Lord Castlebridge wants to sign up a Miss Crawford who is known to be keen on wielding her riding crop in the name of good discipline. But how will these two newcomers to the Hall affect its future?