TohisVictorianLondonfriends,StephenLowryisaheartbrokenwidower.OnlyhishousemaidLilyknowsthatfarfromdyingofgastroenteritishiswifewasslowlypoisonedbyherhusband-informationsheishappytousetoimproveherpositioninthehouseholdandtomakesureshestaysclosetoStephen.Ashisownprospectsimprovewithabusinesspartnershipandaromancemoreofhisownclass,StephendecidesthatLilymustgo.Unfortunatelyforhim,hisfirstattemptgivesherevenmoreofaholdoverhim.