A London barrister’s marriage is under strain after his affair with a shopgirl who is out to have him. The story is told in flashback.

1883, Baycliff, an isolated English village on the Irish Sea. Two women’s friendship becomes passion. Cynara, a sculptor, alone, befriends Byron, a visitor who’s left Paris in unhappiness. They ride horses, talk, play chess, and exchanging tenderness. Byron inspires Cynara as she sculpts, Cynara becomes Byron’s muse as she writes.