It is 1901 in the Cornish port of Falmouth and Henry Scott Tuke, the eminent marine artist, many of whose paintings feature the naked bodies of local boys, is obsessed with Orion Goss, a handsome, bashful, young market garden assistant. Orion, a devout if unenthusiastic Methodist, refuses to be painted but, gradually overcoming his fear of the artist's reputation, dares to show him his own, tentative attempts at drawing. As their friendship develops Falmouth's other famous marine artist, the austere Catholic, Charles Napier Hemy, fears that Henry's emotions may overcome his normal restraint but the real threat comes from Orion's father and brother, violent drunks with volatile tempers and dangerous friends. When, on the night of Edward VII's coronation, Orion is beaten senseless it is clear that the two artists must take action if they are to protect his life