Two families, the Collards and the Vandervents, are connected in marriage and own a toy business together but can hardly stand the sight of each other. When one of them, Roger Vandervent, is suddenly taken ill all kinds of secret affairs and other scandals will threaten to surface.

With Roger dead, Harriet appoints Charlotte's long lost lover Robert as his replacement. Meanwhile, Isabel being blackmailed attracts the attention of the quirky Inspector Titmarsh whom Paul hopes will help him solve his father's death.