Lucy Gray, a ward of the county, counts herself blessed when providence places a tiny baby into her care. She names him Lincoln and calls him "Link." The thought of losing him never crosses her mind, but that is exactly what happens. Lucy is left desolate and lonely, with only the child's "quil-it" as a memento of their time together.

The path of her life takes her to Brittenwood, a grand estate where she is employed to chaperone a headstrong, modern girl named Larsan, a lass determined to come under the rule of no one. Who will win in the battle of wills, strategy, and romance? And will the missing Link ever be found?