In1932AliceWhelan,fleeingafaithlesshusbandinEnglandandpassingherselfoffasawidow,arriveswithherbabyinSimla,India,whereherbrotherRalphisprivatesecretarytotheViceroy.OnthetrainshemeetsthemissionaryDougieRaworthandhiswaspishwifeSarahwiththeiryoungson.Alittleboyislifelessontherailwaytrack,poisonedforbeingahalfcaste,andDougieandhisassistantLeenasavehim,callinghimAdam.AnothernewarrivalisyoungScotIanMcLeod,cometostaywithhisuncleStaffordArmitage,adrunkenteaplantationowner,andSarahsetshersightsonhim.AmbitiouslocalboyAafrinDelalworksforRalph,tothedisgustofhissisterSooni,anationalistwhosupportsGandhianddaubsanti-BritishslogansontheViceroy'swall.AliceattendsthefirsteveningoftheseasonattheEmpireclubrunbytheinfluentialmilitarywidowCynthiaCoffin.CynthiaarrangesforRalphtohavesexwithwealthyAmericanMadeleineMathersandafterwardstellshimthatheshouldmarryMadeleinetoimprovehischancesofbeingselectedasthenextViceroy.AnassassinlaterfiresatRalphbutAafrinstepsinandtakesthebulletandAliceinsistsonbreakingprotocolbyaccompanyinghimtohospital.