Clarissa Dean, needing to be in two places at the same time, persuades Ann, a new acquaintance and a passable likeness of herself, to spend time with Clarissa's elderly great-aunt who hasn't seen her for years and is threatening to cut her out of her will.Meanwhile, Clarissa joins wealthy friends of friends on a cruise with James, the man of her dreams, only to tire of the holiday and restlessly return home early. As she is supposed to be with her aunt in Cornwall, she is compelled to hide herself away for a while, but will it all be as easy as it seems?