When young governess Eliza Curtis surprises a burglar in her wealthy employers' house, her life changes. For Johnnie Longman - costermonger and part-time burglar, has radical views - about stealing from the rich to help the poor, a working man's rights and whether or not he should see her again.
Up until now, Eliza, brought up in a genteel family but forced into paid employment after her father's death, has led the most respectable life. Her lukewarm admirer, Cyril, gives signs that by proposing he will rescue her from her present life of drudgery.
'Johnnie Ringlets' represents everything which she has been brought up to regard as dreadful. But with his curling dark hair and flashing dark eyes, he is undeniably handsome; he has an affect on her that she doesn't want or understand.
In this well researched novella, the vividly portrayed early Victorian London setting of contrasting wealth and poverty provides a dramatic setting for a story of a life-changing romance between two people from very different backgrounds.
This is the first novel of a series.