Informed by her brother that she is now a governess so that she will not have to trouble him any longer, Miss Judith Newfield is left entirely alone, lost in a new role where she has no experience and very little confidence. The little girl she is to care for is frightened and almost completely silent, looking up at her with fearful eyes. With demands coming from the marquess that she make the child speak, Judith is forced to be bold despite her own fears. Will her courage and outspokenness force the marquess to reconsider his behavior? Or will he decide to end her employment and throw her back into the control of her brother?

David, the Marquess of Turton, is struggling with the expectations his betrothed is placing upon him. Becoming a little afraid that he might have been a little too hasty in his engagement, he is additionally frustrated at the addition of his daughter returning to his house – especially when she will not speak to him! Aggravated, he demands great things of his new governess, never expecting her to respond with harsh words of her own! Seeing the change in his daughter but disliking the governess’ ways, David fights against the urge to remove her from her position.

When a secret revealed threatens to pull him apart, it is up to Judith to find a way forward – and for David to decide just how much he too might need the governess.