In 1873, Eliza Touche takes the position of housekeeper and life companion to the former famous writer William Ainsworth, who is the cousin of her late husband. Mrs. Touche has a wide range of interests, including literature, the struggle to abolish slavery, issues of justice, and social inequality. She believes her cousin lacks the gift of a writer; that Charles Dickens, his friend, is actually a despot and a moralist; and that England is an illusory place where everything is deceptive.
Andrew Bogle, who grew up in slavery on a plantation, understands that every particle of sugar hides human suffering, that wealth is obtained at the expense of the poor, and that people are easy to manipulate. In London, he becomes a key witness in the sensational trial concerning impersonation, and his future depends on what version of events he provides.
The Tichborne case, in which an Australian butcher claims he is the true heir to a significant fortune and title, captures Mrs. Touche’s attention—and that of all England. Is Sir Roger Tichborne really who he claims to be, or is it only deception? Despite Mrs. Touche’s education and Andrew Bogle’s shrewd mind, in a world of fraud and pretending it’s difficult to know where the truth is hidden.