Hannah is brought up in the seventeenth century by her cruel uncle and aunt. When a courtier visits he initiates her into the art of sensuality, for which the poor damsel in distress is punished and betrothed to a depraved church minister, who abuses her and then rages that she is a sinner. She escapes to London and is sold to a brothel, where she meets the cruellest discipline of all.
In 17th Century London, innocent Leah learns she is to be married to a planter in Barbados - a man she hates.
In her misery she roams the city alone and is abused by ruffians, but when saved by Captain Gideon Tempest she falls into the hands of his jealous mistress, and sent on a journey that leads her into a debauched world of pain and pleasure.