London just before the Great Exhibition of 1851. In this sequel to The Winter Spring, the Winter sisters, Lettice and Isabella are at the height of success. Lettice is married to Henry Davenant, England's most renowned actor, and their theatrical partnership is famous. Isabella, a young widowed viscountess is a glittering and courted hostess. Lettice and Henry tour America with great success, but their marriage is threatened when a rising young actress joins their company in New York. Then Isabella's cousin, Robert, makes what seems to be a hopelessly unsuitable marriage.