Born in the Channel Islands in 1823, Emile L'Angelier came to Scotland at the age of 17 to work in an Edinburgh nursery. A restless soul, Emile returned to the Channel Islands, then lived for awhile in France, went back home, and then moved to Scotland again -- finally ending up in Glasgow in 1852. He was generally liked by his friends and co-workers, but was subject to mood swings and histrionics caused by his repeatedly failed attempts to win the hands of young ladies.

Born in 1835 into the wealthy household of her architect father, Madeleine Smith was raised among the Glasgow elite. Sent to finishing school in London, Madeleine attended the upper-class parties and social events that were expected of a young lady in the Victorian era. Also a restless soul, Madeleine was bored with her proper life and longed for something to break up the monotony.

In February or March of 1855, Emile and Madeleine were introduced by a mutual acquaintance, and these two restless souls, levels apart on the very important social scale of Victorian times, would entwine and form a web of deceit and passion that would eventually ensnare them both.