Mary Villiers develops a cunning plan to transform her family's fortunes forever, but first she must convince her beautiful but disobedient son George to rise to the occasion and claim their destiny.

Mary resorts to drastic measures to earn George an opportunity to impress the King; George must pull out all the stops and go head-to-head with Earl Somerset in order to stand out and prove himself to the King.

With Somerset keeping George on the backfoot, Mary must find a way to make allies fast and overcome the Somersets or risk losing everything; Francis Bacon senses an opportunity to influence George.

George faces a daunting trip to Scotland with an erratic and closed off King James; Mary attempts to enforce the marriage of John and Frances, but a fired-up Lady Hatton stands in her way.

A political crisis triggered by the return of the legendary and infamous Sir Walter Raleigh drives a wedge between Mary, George and King James.

Anti-Spanish riots have taken hold of the city, and with the Crown plunged into debt, George stands to lose everything; Mary faces devastating consequences when she overplays her hand.