Adriana Northing, daughter of a fisherman, and James Westford, son of a wealthy merchant, forged a secret friendship in childhood against all social mores. From the beginning, they decided to leave the details of their lives unspoken, and their trysting place on a secluded stretch of beach became a refuge for them both.
When James's father hires Adriana's, they find themselves in a precarious situation: Should their friendship become known, smaller minds would label her a fortune-hunter and him a libertine, though neither could be farther from the truth.
Knowing that she desires to see the wider world, James secretly arranges for her to become the companion of his aunt; Adriana is propelled into the society of Georgian London with all its intoxicating splendour and intrigue, but this taste of the wider world bears consequences of which she could never have dreamt.
When her family's past comes to light, she must find her new place in her changing world. Will friendship survive, or will loyalty, trust and love be smashed on the cold rocks of society?