Poynton Park is the home of Mrs. Gereth, a woman who prides herself on her exceptionally good taste. Her passion is the magnificent, precious antiques she has gathered in her equally magnificent home. However, her concern is whether the bride her son Owen chooses will be able to appreciate and share her passion. In the dreamy and hypersensitive Fleda Vetch, Mrs. Gereth is convinced she has found the ideal candidate. Her son, however, does not share her view and decides to get engaged to the nouveau riche and uncultured Mona Brigstock.

A novel that uniquely captures the struggle of three women to dominate a weak-willed man, with the spoils of Poynton as the prize.