It's the summer of 1822 and Edinburgh is buzzing at the approaching visit of George IV. Newly widowed Elizabeth arrives from London and becomes fascinated by the beautiful Botanic Garden nearby.

After offering her services there as an artist, she meets Belle Brodie, a vivacious young woman with a passion for botany and the lucrative art of perfume creation. Belle is determined to keep the real reason for her interest the Garden secret - but secrets don't last long in this Enlightenment city.