V1
London 1803
In the cold weather of London, Alice, a young woman who ran from her past, coincidentally meets her lover. She tells him how she got married in secret on the advice of the marchioness, Lady Fitz-Arthur, to a gentleman superior to her and who died prior to the birth of his son. However, according to Alice, her husband's family would not countenance their union on account of their superiority. Alice wanted her whereabouts to be unknown to the marchioness and to her previous connexions. The marchioness was described by people as always being so proud and overbearing, so haughty towards her inferiors, and so bold and forward towards her equals, that not a servant in the house liked her except Alice. She certainly had the beauty of an angel, but people used to say that she had a devil's heart.
Eventually, Mackenzie asks Alice to be his wife so he can be her protector and vows to be a father to her son, Edward.
Volume 2
Edward was extremely handsome in his person and in his manners, perfectly the gentleman, which gained him the admiration of the Manninghams and Lindsays. Consequently, his extraordinary talents in painting granted him a lot of opportunities to be mixed with people from higher ranks and ultimately meet with the marchioness of Anendale. As Edward entered the gay metropolis of London.
Edward's relationships and friendships got more exciting and complicated at the same time, with many friends and acquaintances, both boys and girls.
Clara Lindsay, who had contrived to make the house unbearable to everybody within it, finds out about Patty and despises her for being strongly attached to Edward. Sally, Clara's servant, agreed to spy on Patty and Edward and update Clara on their news.
Lady Manningham observes the singular mark of a well-defined coronet on Edward's arms when Edward receives important news about his family from America, which forever changed how he lived his life.
V3
Clara's extravagance was as boundless as her vanity and self-love; and though her mother's health was rapidly declining, and her father's embarrassments as rapidly increasing, Clara still continued as gay and as unfeeling as ever, seldom passing a day at home, unless when company was invited to amuse her.
Edward was now advancing towards an age when the feelings glow with romantic ardour; whom will he meet in the ballroom?
Edward also comes closer to knowing the mystery surrounding his birth, gets inside the castle of the marchioness with his friend Frederic, and meets with some people who know his parents.
V4
The full truth about Edward's parents and the marchioness is finally revealed. Who was the tender lover whom the marchioness abandoned? Lady Anendale finds Edward's voice to be strongly resembling that of the gentleman to whom she had fancied herself to be attached. What is the secret of this resemblance?
Frederic falls in love with the daughter of the marchioness; what would become of his future?
