Thirty-one-year-old Harriet is a successful mystery author and graduate of Oxford University’s Shrewsbury women’s college. As the story opens, she is debating whether to answer an invitation she’s just received. Her college is holding a Gaudy Night, or reunion, celebration in June for its alumnae. Harriet has fond memories of her years in academia, but her own life has been tinged by scandal: “Harriet had broken all her old ties and half the commandments, dragged her reputation in the dust and made money […] and was full of energy and bitterness and the uncertain rewards of fame” (3-4).

A few years earlier, Harriet had been falsely accused of the murder of her lover. She was only acquitted through the efforts of gentleman detective, Lord Peter Wimsey. Wimsey subsequently fell in love with her and proposed. Though Harriet has repeatedly refused his offers of marriage, she frequently vacillates over the question, just as she now vacillates about attending the Shrewsbury Gaudy. She finally completes the invitation form and posts it.

As Harriet drives up to the college, she notices how little things have changed. When she encounters some of her old classmates, she’s depressed that so many have opted for marriage and never lived up to the intellectual promise of their youth.