In 1901 Colonsay is the family home of the wily politician Cosmo Cunningham, and his beautiful wife Ambrosine. These are turbulent times, and Cosmo is at the forefront of the push to create the Australian Federation. Important guests come and go, but there are undercurrents in the household. Alice, a young servant, can sense an approaching tragedy and tries to avert it.

In 1999 Rosamund Cunningham inherits Colonsay and reluctantly returns. Her personal life is a mess, her politically ambitious husband is planning to divorce her, and the last thing she wants to do is delve into the past. But Colonsay has secrets and soon odd things start happening. Bumps in the night, the scent of long ago flowers, and the ghost of a young servant girl.

As Rosamund learns the truth about the past, her own life starts to unravel.