A tangled web of upper-class love affairs, betrayals and shifting alliances in London.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Unraveling Marriage
Martin's comfortable upper-class life in London is shattered when his wife Antonia confesses her love for their best friend Palmer. Palmer and Antonia propose a civilized arrangement, while Martin hides his own affair with Georgie.
Key Events
London High Society — Martin lives an upper-class life as a wine merchant in London. Characters: Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: London
Antonia's Confession — Antonia tells Martin she is in love with Palmer, their best friend. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Palmer AndersonLocation: Lynch-Gibbon residence
Civilized Arrangement — Palmer and Antonia wish to remain friends with Martin in a civilized manner. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Palmer AndersonLocation: London
Secret Affair — Martin tries to keep his mistress Georgie a secret from his wife. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Georgie HandsLocation: London
Honor's Disruptive Arrival
Honor Klein enters the circle, revealing Martin's secret affair to Palmer and Antonia. She also introduces Georgie to Alexander, setting new complications in motion.
Key Events
Secret Affair — Martin tries to keep his mistress Georgie a secret from his wife. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Georgie HandsLocation: London
Meeting Honor — Martin meets Honor at the railway station in place of Palmer. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Honor KleinLocation: Railway station
Oxford Connection — It is revealed Honor once taught Georgie at Oxford University. Characters: Honor Klein, Georgie HandsLocation: London
Exposing the Affair — Honor tells Palmer and Antonia about Martin's affair with Georgie. Characters: Honor Klein, Palmer Anderson, Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: London
Introducing Georgie — Honor introduces Georgie to Martin's womanizing brother Alexander. Characters: Honor Klein, Georgie HandsLocation: London
Alexander's Villa — Martin visits his sculptor brother Alexander at his large suburban villa. Characters: Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: Alexander's suburban villa
Dinner and the Sword
A strained dinner exposes the fragility of the civilized arrangement as Georgie flees. Martin returns home to find Honor with a samurai sword, a moment of unsettling power.
Key Events
Alexander's Villa — Martin visits his sculptor brother Alexander at his large suburban villa. Characters: Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: Alexander's suburban villa
Georgie's Workshop — Georgie works with historic looms overlooking the Albert Memorial. Characters: Georgie HandsLocation: Royal College of Art
The Awkward Dinner — Martin, Antonia, Palmer and Georgie dine together awkwardly. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Palmer Anderson, Georgie HandsLocation: Restaurant
Georgie Runs Off — Georgie cannot stand the arrangement and runs off. Characters: Georgie HandsLocation: Restaurant
Samurai Sword Scene — Martin finds Honor eating fruit with an unsheathed samurai sword. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Honor KleinLocation: Martin's home
Sword Demonstration — Honor demonstrates her skill with the samurai sword. Characters: Honor Klein, Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: Martin's home
Proposals and Reversals
Martin discovers Georgie with Alexander and, in a fit of emotion, proposes to her. Returning home, he finds Antonia in his bed, leaving his future uncertain.
Key Events
Sword Demonstration — Honor demonstrates her skill with the samurai sword. Characters: Honor Klein, Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: Martin's home
Studio Discovery — Martin finds Alexander and Georgie together in her studio. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Georgie HandsLocation: Georgie's college studio
Martin's Proposal — After Alexander leaves, Martin proposes to Georgie. Characters: Martin Lynch-Gibbon, Georgie HandsLocation: Georgie's college studio
Antonia in His Bed — Martin returns home to find Antonia in his bed. Characters: Martin Lynch-GibbonLocation: Martin's home
Story Breakdown
Marriage in Crisis — Martin's marriage collapses when Antonia confesses her love for Palmer.
Antonia's Confession — Antonia tells Martin she is in love with Palmer.
Civilized Arrangement — Palmer and Antonia wish to remain friends with Martin.
Hidden Affair — Martin's secret relationship with Georgie is exposed.
Keeping the Secret — Martin tries to hide Georgie from his wife.
Honor's Revelation — Honor tells Palmer and Antonia about the affair.
Honor's Arrival — Honor Klein disrupts the status quo.
Railway Station Meeting — Martin meets Honor instead of Palmer.
Samurai Sword Display — Honor demonstrates her sword skill at Martin's home.
Georgie's Entanglement — Georgie is pulled between Martin and new introductions.
Oxford Connection — Honor once taught Georgie at Oxford.
Meeting Alexander — Honor introduces Georgie to Alexander.
Martin's Proposal — Martin proposes to Georgie after finding her with Alexander.
The Awkward Dinner — A social meal exposes the fragile arrangement.
Posh Meal — Martin, Antonia, Palmer and Georgie dine together.
Georgie's Escape — Georgie runs off, unable to stand the arrangement.
Discovery in the Studio — Martin confronts shifting loyalties.
Finding Georgie with Alexander — Martin is annoyed to find them together.
Impulsive Proposal — Martin proposes to Georgie after Alexander leaves.
Uncertain Resolution — The story ends with ironic calm and unresolved tensions.
Antonia in Bed — Martin finds Antonia waiting in his bed.
Casual Conversation — They speak casually, masking deeper turmoil.
Antonia Lynch-Gibbon, wife of upper-crust wine dealer Martin, falls in love with her husband's best friend, noted psychiatrist Palmer Anderson. While both Palmer and Antonia would like to remain in Martin's life, he has some secrets of his own — namely, a mistress called Georgie, whom his womanizing brother also desires. All the while, Palmer's sister Honor seems to know everyone's business.
