The princess, Olivia, detains her guard in her room despite the imminent arrival of her wealthy suitor, Viscount James. She challenges her guard’s duty, coercing him to clean cream from her person, defying both his protests and the expectations of her family, who see the marriage as a path to fortune. As the guard struggles with the order, Olivia insists he look at her, asserting her command and deepening the personal transgression as the formal meeting looms.