Why does disaster so often follow success? This is the question that Philippa Talbot asks herself repeatedly in the dark days that follow her triumph at Covent Garden. On that evening she sees her husband in conversation with Elizabeth Rusman, a young violinist from the orchestra. She discovers that they were once lovers, and she and Nicholas have a jealous quarrel. But by morning Elizabeth is dead and Nicholas in custody, accused of her murder. As the evidence builds up against him, Philippa begins the fight to prove his innocence – a fight which gradually exposes her to terrible danger . . .