Newly married to a wealthy spice merchant, Kate Finche's life is irrevocably changed as the Great Fire of London rages through the city and the heady scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves fill the air as their livelihood goes up in flames.

As the city is devastated, Kate's husband, Robert is forced to seek employment to ensure their survival, and when he is found drowned, Kate refuses to believe that he has taken his own life. She finds work as a nursemaid and, against all her principles, falls in love with blind perfumer Gabriel Harte who awakens Kate's senses to a whole new world.

But as she flees from this forbidden love, her husband's murderer comes looking for her . . .