Alice Greenwood's sense of humour is needed and never more so than in her widowhood. She makes a living by taking casual positions in local households in the Yorkshire town of Masham, where she also sells herbs as the Lavender Girl and her work leads her into difficulties and even danger. The Grey family employ Alice to control their wayward daughter Laura, who rebels against an arranged marriage.Then, working for the local doctor, Alice has to contend with hostility from his surly groom, Jacob Fowler and both suffer under the pompous locum, Dr Fanshawe. They are unwillingly drawn into a murder mystery and further surprises threaten Alice's happiness. Will she be condemned to a life of drudgery?