For Sophie Ventnor, Julyan's Court, with its treasured gardens, was a totally absorbing and satisfying Eden. She asked nothing more of life than to be able to continue inhabiting it, helping her father with his botanical research, illustrating his books for him, and tending the rare plants which they nurtured together. And there was also Robin, a dear childhood friend, to whom one day she would be married.

But Edens are not permanent habitations, and when the Romsey family arrived in the neighbourhood Sophie knew fear, like a sparrow seeing hawks flying over its territory. Frank Romsey was the dynamically successful tycoon who had swallowed up her Robin in his business empire. Frank Romsey's son Guy and daughter Thelma shared their father's good looks, his personality and drive. They were born winners in a competitive world, and as events caused Sophie's more gentle universe to crumble about her, she realised just how fragile her happiness had been.

For Sophie Ventnor the treasured gardens of Julyan's Court were an idyllic Eden. Sharing this perfect world with her father and Robin, the dear childhood friend whom she would one day marry, Sophie felt happy and secure.

But the peace of Julyan's Court was rudely shattered with the arrival of the Romsey family - Frank Romsey, the dynamic tycoon who swallowed Robin up in his business empire; his son Guy, and daughter Thelma. And for the first time in her sheltered life, Sophie tasted fear - fear of the Romseys and all they stood for.