In the summer of 1736, Marius Hope, a troubled young doctor, takes leave of his responsibilities at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, and journeys to The Wells (Royal Tunbridge Wells). Hope establishes a close friendship with Roger Dashwood, a man long acquainted with The Wells and its people. As he is introduced into society, Hope meets Elizabeth Conyers, the niece of Maurice Conyers, The Lord of The Manor. But Hope's idyllic new life is interrupted when he finds himself caught up in a series of events. He soon discovers that the incidents are linked to a scheme to wrest ownership of The Walks (The Pantiles) from The Lord of The Manor and its freeholders. Hope is called upon to make use of his medical background to aid the authorities in exposing the culprits. The pressure is on for him to find the mastermind of the plot or lose his life at the hands of his unknown adversary. This novel is based on historical fact, with many of the characters involved in the scandal contributing to the narrative.