After years of struggle, James Sadler takes up a chemistry post and marries childhood sweetheart Mary Vane. But news from Thomas Beddoes of an amazing invention by the brothers' Montgolfier sends James on a new and dangerous path. Soon James faces losing all he has achieved, including his new-found happiness. Church, Royal Society and University conspire to prevent him achieving the honour of becoming the first English Aeronaut. Sabotage and murder follow as the mysterious, ruthless Grey Man move in.