Learning that she is unable to produce an heir for her husband, Lord Longmore, the resilient and adventurous Lady Emma is determined to make the most of a life unencumbered by offspring. In no time at all she is embarking on a tour of seduction, starting with the beautiful and innocent young curate who is betrothed to her cousin, Anne. His education in fleshly pleasures complete, she accepts a handsome allowance to further her cultural interests in Europe, starting with Paris, where the exotic pleasures of the 1890s are in full swing. Joined by a host of charming admirers, each leg of her journey provides increasingly decadent amusement. And then she meets a refined young Englishman who is determined to win her love as well as her lust.