A comedy of discriminating taste and dirty little secrets, the story is set in 1952 England, where Nigel, Earl of Marshwood (Edward Atterton), woos Hollywood star Miranda Frayle (Jeanne Tripplehorn), upsetting his mother, Countess Felicity of Marshwood (Dame Julie Andrews), and her former love, fellow Hollywood star Don Lucas (William Baldwin). Right before the engagement party to be held at Marshwood, Dora Moxton "Moxie" (Sophie Thompson), the Countess' personal maid and best friend, reveals that Miranda is her estranged sister. Frederick Crestwell (Stephen Fry), the Countess' butler, quickly devises a plan, but an inebriated Lucas' arrival at Marshwood to try to talk to Miranda causes all chaos to break loose.