When she arrives in the French region of Champagne in the company of her mother, two sisters, and brother, 16-year-old Joss Grey is still just a teenager. As she returns to England she has become a woman. Mrs. Grey fell ill at the beginning of their stay and was sent to the hospital, leaving the four siblings in the care of Madame Zizi, the manager of the hotel at which they were to stay. Also lodging there is Madame Zizi's lover Eliot. Unaware of this situation, Joss becomes attracted to the 40-year-old man. Eliot is so friendly--Eliot is so handsome--A bit enigmatic, perhaps, but so charming.