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.