1 - The Last Rose of Summer

In the ostentatious world of turn-of-the-century England, a broken-hearted young lady finds herself caught in a society of pretentious women, pompous men, flamboyant dresses for grandiose parties, and marriages of convenience. Elaine’s enchanting beauty is a popular subject of gossip among the inhabitants of the aristocratic community, but young men have learned not to waste their time courting the inhospitable maiden.
It has been three lonely years, yet Elaine still mourns the untimely death of her beloved sister. Her indifferent parents are the salt on the open wound of her grief. Jeanette, her extravagant mother flirts with every rich man she lays eyes upon. Her father, Howard couldn’t care less. Over the years, Elaine has learned to lock up her emotions and to build walls to shut others out. But her adamant resistance is put to the test when, drowning in debt, Howard attempts to secure a business transaction with a certain wealthy acquaintance, accompanied by his inquisitive son, James.