Aristocrats

It's 1742. Caroline and Emily Lennox are daughters of the 2nd Duke of Richmond. As the eldest daughter, Caroline is expected to marry well, so her determination to reject all suitors is beginning to cause embarrassment. Her mother the Duchess of Richmond has to endure the embarrassment of a stubborn daughter who might soon be considered 'on the shelf'.

The Duke of Richmond has banished Caroline from his house, but has consented to the marriage of his daughter, Emily, to the wealthy James Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare. Emily and Kildare have gone to live in Ireland. Meanwhile in London, Caroline's husband, Henry Fox's political star is ascending but, his absorption in his work brings tensions at home.

Emily has arranged the marriage of her sister Louisa to Tom Connolly, the richest man in Ireland. Determined not to be outdone, Caroline insists that their youngest sister, Sarah, come to London to be launched in society; where she attracts the attention of the young Prince of Wales. Meanwhile Henry Fox has become mired in the politics of sleaze.

Sarah returns to London from Paris, where she has teetered on the edge of adultery. To make matters worse Henry and Caroline's profligate sons are gambling away vast sums of money. In Ireland Emily has been deeply influenced by new theories of education and has employed an enigmatic and progressive new tutor for her children.

Sarah has born an illegitimate child and eloped with the father. In shame, she has returned to the family and Louisa takes it upon herself to dictate the terms of her atonement. In Ireland, Emily is increasingly lured to an idyllic life away from Dublin in the happy company of her children, notably her favourite, little Edward Fitzgerald.

Emily's son Edward has returned from Revolutionary France, where he has been affected by the momentous changes he has witnessed. Heedless of the warnings, he begins to plot a violent rebellion to overthrow the Irish monarchist regime, with devastating consequences for himself and for the lives of the three remaining sisters, Emily, Louisa and Sarah.