1893: Mary, a desperately poor cleaner, is a witness to murder. Archie, one of the first artists to work for the police, to support his other work, draws the man she says she saw at the scene. Fascinated by her face full of bones', he persuades her to sit for a portrait, but the man who buys the picture really wants to buy Mary. When he realises he's betrayed her, Archie takes her to hide with his friends, but doesn't realise what he's started. He has no idea how this one woman links his wealthiest clients, the poorest slums, terrible secrets, and a violent thug who is now looking for.