Lady Aslyn Hastings is an orphaned noblewoman who has been raised in the household of the Duke of Hedley. She's been sheltered her whole life, and is expected to marry the duke's son and heir, Kip. Aslyn yearns for adventure (in the great wide somewhere) and convinces Kip to take her on an outing to the Cremorne Gardens. While there Aslyn and Kip bump (literally) into Fancy Trewlove and her brother Mick.