18th century London is a small town that has exploded into a world city, suddenly capital of a vast empire but one run by a small number of rich and powerful people who all know each other. Theatres, coffee-houses, clubs and the political arena are the elegant face behind which hides a seamier world of corruption, intrigue and rumbustious sexuality. Samuel Johnson, Benjamin Franklin and the Chevalier d'Eon ricochet off each other in an entangled history...