India 1795: John Beecham (Tom Bateman), a former soldier in the East India Company, is determined to start a new life as an independent trader. When he arrives to take up residence in Delhi the staff are shocked to discover that their secretive new master's infant son August is of mixed parentage. John is keen to reunite his family and for Beecham House to become home to his mother (Lesley Nicol) and bring his errant brother Daniel (Leo Suter) back into the fold. Family friend Violet (Bessie Carter) clearly hopes to become the next Mrs Beecham but John has met the charming and talented English governess Margaret (Dakota Blue-Richards) and there also appears to be a deep connection with another member of the household. With the country in turmoil and political tensions on a knife edge John must tread carefully if he is to secure his future and keep his family safe.