Amy and Effy Tribble can't believe their luck. After four seasons spent molding intractable, wayward, or just plain frumpy young women into marriage material, their fifth season in the chaperone business brings them a dream client.

Maria Kendall is beautiful, impeccably mannered, effortlessly graceful, and extremely well-dowered. She is a perfect candidate for marriage, even if none of her real suitors—especially the proud and aristocratic Duke of Berham—quite live up to her dreams. But when the duke meets Maria's vulgar and boorish parents, his proposal is quickly withdrawn. Amy and Effy soon realize that they face their greatest challenge yet—taking on not only Maria but the hopelessly common Kendalls as well.