In 1851 Lydia Mohun, the daughter of the famous actress, Lilith Lucas, comes to live in Soho Square. She dreams of the same success on the same stage and when Jonah Lackland's daughter Phoebe is introduced to Lydia, an exciting and glittering world is opened up to her. Freddy, her cousin feels very protective towards her and fears that Lydia poses a threat. Jonah, now widowed, anticipates an inevitable tragedy for them all.