Beautiful tomboy Emilie Le Breton prefers the name "Lillie". Lillie's fetching looks attract the attention of many men on the British Island of Jersy-even those who arrive by accident. After a disastrous visit to London, Lillie falls in love with a local fisherman with whom she has a bit too much in common. Soon afte the forbidden relationship, she accepts the marriage proposal of the wealthy Edward Langtry, a man who offers an escape from both her father and Jersey.

Settling with husband Edward in her somber new home in Southampton, Lillie finds less freedom now than she did on Jersey. Worse, Edward's riches have long been spent. After a life-threatening illness and a bit of trickery, Lillie and Edward move to London where Lillie gets her first delicious tast of upper-crust society. but tragedy forces Lillie's return to Jersey. Her beloved brother Reggie has suffered a fatal accident, causing her intense grief and unrelenting guilt.

Lillie's beauty creates a sensation in London's social circles. She is now a "professional beauty", a fashionable society woman whose every movement and activity becomes a matter of public interest. Lillie graces magazine covers and becomes highly sought after by artists, photographers, writers, hostesses-and a visiting dignitary King Leopold of the Belgians. While Lillie is highly celebrated, little do the wags know that this radiant beauty has but one simple black dress to her name.

Althought Lillie hasn't requited his attention, King Leopold of the Belgians, like many other men, is enthralled by Lillie's charm and beauty. His daily early morning visists to her home abruptly conclude when his advances are flatly rejected. But will this royal snub stunt Lillie's climb up Society's ladder? A reception at the palatial home of Lord Suffield will answer the question without a doubt. With her place assured, Lillie goes about impressing another set of royals, who selct her for introduction to the Prince of Wales.

Despite being an icon of beauty and glamour, Lillie's marriage to Edward is a loveless farce. Even though Edward attempts to improve her surroundings, wardrobe and lifestyle, Lillie's heart has found another. She becomes quite close to "Bertie", the Prince of Wales, eliciting whispers of an illicit affair between the pair. After a brief trip back to Jersey, Lillie entertains the affections of Arthur Jones, a lifelong friend. But Lillie and the Prince can no longer exist apart. She is now his mistress.

Bertie, the Prince of Wales, has gone to great lengths to impress Lillie--even building her a country house in Bournemouth. When Austria's Crown Prince Rudolf pays an official visit to London, Lillie becomes the focus of Rudolfs impetuous nature. His behavior does not sit will with Lillie or Bertie, and Rudolf is unceremoniously banished from the country. A short time later, after a cold public reception from Queen Victoria, Lillie retreats to her country home with Arthur Jones. While her love for Arthur grows, she cannot bear to leave the royal spotlight for Jersey's provincial obscurity.

Lillie's social success continues despite the brewing public scandal over her illicit affair with Bertie. But a new Prince has arrived, Bertie's nephew Prince Louis of Battenberg. The attraction is mutual and Lillie now finds herself involved with a pair of Princes. When Bertie forbids Louis to marry Lillie, she coldly agrees. But Lillie hatches a plan to afford herself a more comfortable financial position: she will take to the stage, become an actress, and earn enough money to support herself.

Lillie is pregnant following a brief affair with Prince Louis. After being out in Jersey with Arthur Jones, Lillie secretly gives birth to Jeanne Marie in Paris. Even after the illegitimate child's arrival, Edward refuses to grant a divorce, and forces Lillie to support him by beginning her theatrical career on the London stage. Arthur Jones is bitterly disappointed, realizing his love for Lillie is unrequited and the two will never marry. Lillie is about to set sail for an American theatrical tour when she learns the disheartening news that Prince Louis will dock in Liverpool--just hours after her departure.

Fabulously wealthy George Baird is a gentleman, sportsman, horse-racing enthusiast--and known womanizer. Even though she's warned that her involvement with such a man will ruin her social position, Lillie is consumed by a strange attraction for Baird. Despite his violent outbursts, Lillie is now bound to him by fear. After a particularly brutal attact, Baird is jailed, attracting sensational press coverage worldwide. Meanwhile, Lillie begins a sucessful career as a horse owner escorting "Mr Jersey" into the winner's circle. But within months the two men who play pivotal roles in Lillie's life will meet their maker.