It is four years since the end of last episode. The Liberals are returning to power, sort of, in a coalition with the Conservatives until the country's money woes can be sorted out. The Prime Minister of this coalition is to be Plantagenet!!! Planty is full of doubts, but accepts the post. Of course, Glencora is well suited to be the hostess of the country. Planty does find Finn office in Ireland, but Glencora manages to keep Marie close to her as she plans to open Gatherum Castle, for the entertaining that will need to be done, and will need her help. We are introduced to Ferdinand Lopez, one of those young men whose success in making money has allowed them to move into the corridors of power, and is always so irritating to those already there. He, later, displaying his powers of persuasion, and mysterious undertakings, as he talks Sextus Parker into signing a bill for 750 pounds. We, also, learn that he has set his sights on Emily Wharton, the sister of his friend Everett. Her fa