With the dawn of the twentieth century on the horizon, the fortunes of the venerable Vanderbilt family still shine brightly in the glittering high society of Newport, Rhode Island. But when a potential scandal strikes, the Vanderbilts turn to cousin and society page reporter Emma Cross to solve a murder of a fortune teller and the disappearance of Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Responding to a frantic call from her cousin, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Emma Cross arrives at the Marble House mansion and learns Consuelo's mother, Alva, is forcing her into marriage with the Duke of Marlborough. Her mother has even called in a fortune teller to assure Consuelo of a happy future. But the future is short-lived for the fortune teller, who is found dead by her crystal ball, strangled with a silk scarf. One of the Vanderbilts' maids is taken into police custody, and Consuelo is nowhere to be found. Has she eloped with the beau of her choice-- or is her disappearance connected to the murder?

Emma Cross goes to Marble House to help her cousin, Consuelo Vanderbilt, but when the fortune teller hired to persuade Consuelo to marry the Duke of Marlborough is murdered, Consuelo disappears and her mother asks Emma to investigate.