London, 1828. Jonah, adopted by an artist when he was a child, is now a young man and his guardian, Leonard, knows that he must secure the young man's future. He secures him a position with a noble family, where he is instructed to act as a bodyguard to the unruly younger son - although on first meeting the young lord is more withdrawn and quiet than he is unruly.

Jonah's passionate nature and sense of loyalty are sparked by something in Charles, and he soon feels obliged to protect him beyond the obligations of his position.

As Jonah begins to learn more about himself and those around him, he finds himself caught up in the tensions of the household, the secrets it keeps and the dangers that hover close by.