City life in the early 19th century was never short of drama: poverty and pollution preyed on all but the lucky few, and "resurrection men" prowled the streets to procure corpses for anatomists to experiment on. Life is improving, however, for young William Lang, who begins courting Jenny, a fine needlewoman, and forms an unlikely friendship with botanist Dr. Thomas Brown while working in the physic garden for a leading professor of surgery. At first, William relishes the opportunity to extend his knowledge of plants and their healing properties while foraging in the countryside in the service of his new friend. The young couple's relationship blossoms, until seeds of trouble threaten to grow out of control.