Velvet is an orphan who works in a Victorian steam laundry. The laundry is scalding, back-breaking work and Velvet is desperate to create a better life. Then she is noticed by Madame Savoya, a famed medium, who asks Velvet to come work for her. Soon Velvet realizes that Madame Savoya is not all that she says she is, and Velvet's very life may be in danger...