After Rasselas' revelation, Lydia can put everything in place to take down Margaret Wells once and for all. But she'll need Cunliffe's help and her discovery that Emily has escaped could bring her plans crashing down. If Cunliffe has now become her enemy, Lydia must act quickly to deal with the threat. Which of them can earn the Spartans' trust? Harriet and North unite in one final attempt to steal her children back from Benjamin Lennox. Lucy learns a new skill which could change her future. Will Margaret make a decision for Fanny that's popular in the house?
London in 1763 is booming, and one in five women makes a living selling sex. Women's opportunity for economic advancement is to marry well or be a prostitute. The city's brothels are run by canny, cruel businesswomen such as Margaret Wells and Lydia Quigley. The prostitutes are reviewed in Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies, which some of the women are seen reading in the premiere episode.
Margaret's move to Greek Street puts her into conflict with Lydia Quigley whom she had previously worked for as a prostitute. Lydia Quigley operates a high class brothel in Golden Square, serving rich highly influential people in the judiciary and police, and blackmails a religious reformer into opposing Margaret.
Harlots - Series 1, Episode 8 Synopsis and Schedule