Caroline, the Duke of Richmond's eldest daughter, is stubbornly determined to reject all suitors and it is beginning to cause embarrassment.

Emily weds Lord Kildare and they depart for a life in Ireland, while in London, tensions run high between Caroline and her husband, whose political star is ascending.

Caroline insists that her younger sister Sarah comes to London to be launched into society, and the Prince of Wales is intrigued.

A shamed Sarah returns to the family with her illegitimate child, and Louisa takes it upon herself to dictate the terms of her atonement.

Edward returns from revolutionary France and plots a violent rebellion to overthrow the Irish monarchist regime, with devastating consequences for the family.