Carolina's earliest memories of life in the Holland house are of time spent with Liz as childhood friends. Even then, Lina and her elder sister Claire were the wealthy family's hired help, but Liz's fancy dresses weren't a source of envy. It wasn't until the finishing governess arrived to tutor Liz in the ways of being a proper young lady that Lina began to see the distance between them. Elizabeth Adora Holland was no longer her sweet friend; she was her employer.

Gratefully, when Elizabeth departed for Paris, Lina was left with far fewer chores. She remained the Holland's maid, but without the sting of having to wait on her former friend, she blossomed. For nine blissful months, Lina escaped Elizabeth's shadow and won the full attention of the Holland's carriage driver, Will. Lina's deepest desires are to claim Will's love and a place in society as the Hollands' equal—but Elizabeth's return threatens everything she dreams of. Her childhood friend is now her principal rival, and Lina will do whatever it takes to challenge her.