Rejected by her would-be companion Vere Hobart, Anne Lister returns to her shabby ancestral home, Shibden Hall, determined to restore its fortunes and find herself a wife.

Lister begins a playful but dangerous courtship of Ann Walker, who soon finds herself captivated by her charismatic and unusual neighbour.

Lister and Ann Walker's liaison takes a thrilling turn, as mutual acquaintances begin to chatter about their relationship.

Lister and Ann Walker are consumed by the excitement of their affair, until bad news yields a crippling secret.

The arrival of an unsavoury figure from Ann Walker's past stirs up trouble and prompts Lister to deal with matters in her own inimitable fashion.

Lister faces a heart-breaking decision as Ann Walker's mental state takes an alarming downturn.

Lister finally confronts Christopher Rawson, and executes a bold but risky coal plan before heading to Europe.

Difficult news from Shibden spurs Lister to leave behind her newly aristocratic lifestyle in Denmark, while Ann Walker finds the courage to take control of her own destiny in Scotland.

As they prepare to move in together, Lister presses her new wife to change her will to help strengthen their future together, but Ann finds herself nervous of public opinion. Meanwhile, Mariana's devastation puts a damper on the couple's upcoming honeymoon abroad.

After another former flame threatens to derail their idyllic honeymoon, Lister tells Ann about her complicated relationship with Mariana - but withholds some crucial information. Back in Halifax, Ann's family hatches a plot to marry her off to a gentleman.

After launching a charm offensive in hopes of winning over Ann's relatives, Lister quizzes Halifax's men of industry on what a new railway station could mean for the town. Meanwhile, Lister's presence is requested at Lawton Hall by a distraught Mariana.

During her visit to Lawton Hall, Lister remains determined to draw a line in her tempestuous 20-year relationship with Mariana, who questions her connection with Miss Walker. Back at Shibden, Ann gets a surprise visit from an old friend sent by her meddling cousins.

Lister throws herself into furthering the Tory cause ahead of a pivotal election. Ann is stunned by her sister's move to evict their shared tenants amid growing labourer discontent. Then, as an angry mob smashes Halifax to pieces, Lister refuses to keep a low profile.

While trying to brush aside attempts to ridicule her, Lister focuses on building her empire. Later, Ann uncovers her family's hidden schemes for the Walker estate, and a shocking letter drives a serious wedge between Ann and Lister.

Despite Parker's cautioning, Lister furthers her plan to construct a grand hotel in Halifax. Ann's proposal for a division of the Walker estate sends shockwaves through her relations as her brother-in-law begins to suspect that Lister has a malicious influence over Ann.

Lister and Ann find their marriage in peril when Captain Sutherland arrives from Scotland determined to destroy Lister's reputation.