York, 1907. Newly retired Inspector Faro is delighted at the prospect of staying in the Dower House, situated on a Roman villa once home to Emperor Severus. But he arrives to find his wife Imogen distraught and desperately searching for her missing Irish cousin, who seems to have vanished without a trace . . .

Newly retired Inspector Faro is delighted at the prospect of staying in the Dower House in York, sited on a Roman villa once home to Emperor Severus. His wife, Imogen, travels ahead of him, looking forward to exploring the wonders of the historic city. A chance encounter with a young woman at a florist's shop brings Imogen into contact with her long-lost cousin Kathleen. The two women, overjoyed to have found one another, promise to keep in touch.

But by the time Faro arrives in York, he finds Imogen distraught and desperately searching for Kathleen, who seems to have vanished without a trace ...