The White Virgin

A genteel evening in a bustling Victorian town sets the stage for a tangled drama of love, ambition, and the shadows of family secrets. Doctor Praed, sharp‑tongued and uneasy, watches the Reed household’s lively gathering, his eye fixed on the bright‑hearted Janet and the restless young men whose fortunes hinge on an old mine and the promise of wealth. The conversation drifts from flirtations to veiled threats, hinting at a looming dispute over inheritance, a “White Virgin” whisper that may bind the characters in unforeseen ways.

As the night unfolds, loyalties are tested and hidden motives surface beneath polite smiles and clinking china. Clive Reed finds himself caught between his father's expectations, a daring suitor, and the enigmatic allure of a woman whose purity seems both a shield and a bait. Listeners are drawn into a world where social standing, medical practice, and the lure of untapped riches collide, promising intrigue that will ripple far beyond the drawing‑room.