Domino de Silva appears quite the most innocent of girls: young, beautiful and pure. Her sparkling merriment charms all who meet her. But all is not what it seems, and a summer spent in Brighton promises every delectable temptation.

Mr. Joshua Marchmain is reputed to be society's most scandalous rake: tall, flaxen–haired and wickedly handsome, with a dangerous allure that can disgrace even the most decent of ladies.

An overwhelming force draws Joshua and Domino together but there are those in society who would stop at nothing to keep them apart.