It is 1837. When Rebecca looks back at her life, she has seen much change - and much sorrow. Still young, it is hard for her to believe she has gone from scullery maid to mistress of Pagnel House. But without her husband at her side, can she make the dreams they had for the future still come true? Still reeling from her loss, she must find a way of carrying on.

Her husband's cousin, Vivian, is appalled at the idea of a woman running a business. Should she - for the sake of her sons and her business - accept Vivian's offer of marriage?

It will take all her strength and all her courage to discover where her future lies - and whether it is rooted in the land and people around her, or if the memory of a man now toiling on the other side of the world in Australia will change her destiny.