It's 1920 and Milly Belfort, beautiful and clever god-daughter of the libertine, Emma Longmore, renounces the life of a bluestocking in favour of less intellectual, more physical pleasures. Defying the wished of her mother, Milly's adventures in the Jazz Age take her from the risque fringes of the booming film industry to the wild excesses of the yachting set. Only when she falls in love with a young student does settling down seem attractive. However, Robin - the young man who has captured her heart - knows nothing of Milly's scandalous behaviour, including her stint as a Mistress of Correction. Her facade of innocence can only last so long before he discovers the truth about her licentious ways. Milly cannot change her sensual nature and her life moves relentlessly towards a crisis, and a choice.