Myriam and Paul, are your typical pair of bourgeois Parisian parents of two young children, toddler Adam, and five-year-old Mila, who is taking up all of Myriam's time. When Myriam decides to go back to work despite her husband's initial reluctance, the couple starts looking for a nanny. After a very selective process, they finally find the perfect candidate, Louise, a poised 40-year old woman who is an instant hit with both kids and parents.

Becky is determined to make something of herself. She accepts a job as a nanny for the children of Sir Pitt Crawley. Becky catches the eye of Crawley's son Rawdon. Becky is introduced to London's most exclusive social circle, where she becomes re-acquainted with Amelia. Becky weds Rawdon, but the social and economic stability she dreamed of begins to collapse when he begins drowning his troubles, and soon she turns to the powerful Marquess of Steyne...