Lee Grimstock's gritty past as a street urchin has contributed to the success of his mystery novels. When he is obliged to take in his incorrigible niece, however, he is hard-pressed to raise her properly. He cannot seem to keep a governess-until Josephine Wilkes crosses his path.

Desperate to find work, Josie accepts the position Lee Grimstock offers. Unfortunately, since her prospective employer despises the theater, she feels obliged to hide her time on the stage. His publisher's daughter has designs on Lee, however, and the new governess is in her way. By hook or by crook, Miss Pilgrim will do whatever it takes to separate the two, without any qualms whatsoever.

When Josie's past catches up to her, she disappears into the mean streets of Victorian-era London. Lee sets out to track down the vanishing beauty...and finds romance along the way.