London 1949. The New Look is in, Princess Elizabeth's wedding has raised morale and the capital is filled with a new energy. The Earl of Mowbray's niece, Alicia Stanton, is making her mark in the glamorous film world. Alongside her, Victoria Brown, a wartime evacuee, is starting out as a fashion photographer. Life is full of opportunity.

But at Cavendon Hall, the stately home where they both grew up, the Second World War has exacted a terrible price and the estate is facing bankruptcy. The aristocratic Ingham family is at odds with its loyal retainers, the Swanns, for the first time. And when Cavendon's secrets start to rise to the surface, young and old alike are threatened. Can the Inghams and the Swanns unite to save the family name and their future?