The narrative unfolds in England, set between 1910 and 1920. Bertie Wooster, a wealthy and leisurely young man, starts the story "Jeeves Takes Charge" by confessing his heavy reliance on his butler, Jeeves. However, he feels no shame in this dependency, as he considers Jeeves to be a genius. Bertie remarks, "From the collar upward he stands alone," and then goes on to explain how he came to entrust Jeeves with all his affairs.

While visiting his Uncle Willoughby’s estate, Easeby, Bertie discovers his original butler, Meadowes, stealing silk socks, prompting him to return to London to hire a new valet. As Bertie struggles through a tedious book given to him by his fiancée, Florence Craye, Jeeves makes his first appearance. Bertie, suffering from a hangover, is immediately impressed when Jeeves prepares a remedy for him. During their chat, Bertie learns that Jeeves used to work for Florence’s father, Lord Worplesdon, but left because he disapproved of Lord Worplesdon’s fashion choices. Bertie senses that Jeeves does not approve of his engagement to Florence. He then receives a telegram from Florence, urgently summoning him back to Easeby, where she is staying as a guest. He instructs Jeeves to pack, and notices Jeeves disapproves of the suit he is wearing, but Bertie dismisses the butler’s opinion.

Once at Easeby, Bertie uncovers the reason for the urgent summons. His Uncle Willoughby has been writing his memoirs, "Recollections of a Long Life." It turns out that the elderly man has read part of the manuscript to Florence, and she is horrified. The memoir recounts Sir Willoughby’s wild adventures with his friends during their younger days. Florence fears that her father, among other distinguished gentlemen, will be scandalized if the book is published. She suggests that Bertie steal the manuscript to prevent its publication. Bertie, financially dependent on his Uncle Willoughby, is extremely hesitant. He proposes that perhaps Florence’s younger brother Edwin, also a guest at Easeby, might be better suited for the task. Edwin, being a Boy Scout, is always eager to perform "acts of kindness." Florence threatens to end their engagement if Bertie does not take the manuscript. Flustered, Bertie agrees to the peculiar plan. As he exits the room, he encounters Jeeves, who mentions that someone has used black polish on his brown shoes.

Bertie lurks near his uncle’s library, waiting for a chance to swipe the book. Sir Willoughby places the manuscript on a table in the hallway, intending for his butler, Oakshott, to mail it the next morning. Bertie seizes the book and heads back to his room, only to find Edwin rummaging through his belongings under the guise of "tidying up." Bertie tries to conceal the book behind his back. Edwin mentions that one of his recent "acts of kindness" was polishing Bertie's shoes. Bertie sends Edwin off to trim some cigars and quickly locks the manuscript in a drawer.

Bertie is too anxious to destroy the manuscript while still at Easeby and decides it's safer to leave it locked in the drawer for now. Sir Willoughby grows worried when the publishers report they haven't received his book. Bertie attempts to blame his former butler, but his uncle points out that Meadowes wasn't around when he completed the manuscript. Nervous, Bertie paces the estate, chain-smoking. As he passes by the library window, he overhears Edwin talking with his uncle. Edwin knows Bertie has the book and persuades Sir Willoughby to search Bertie's room. Bertie rushes back, only to confront Uncle Willoughby and Edwin. Sir Willoughby uses Edwin's story as justification to search Bertie's room. The drawer with the book...