Fanny Milbanke and her family are living in straightened circumstances in London when she is invited to spend the summer with her cousin Caroline, whom Fanny has never met, and her husband at their country estate. Although initially Fanny is intrigued with Caroline, and her host's handsome younger brother, she starts to see that there are mysterious undercurrents at play in the house, revolving around the health and well-being of Sir George, Caroline's older and wealthy husband. Although she first meets him under unfavorable circumstances, Fanny starts to find that Sir George's handsome neighbor, Edward Knight, may be the person best able to help resolve the uncertainties of her situation.