The unworldly Mary Fitzgerald, now mistress of a grand house in Brooklyn, has difficulty rising to the expectations of her insecure new husband, Edward Skelton. Charles Fordham, the unscrupulous owner of a cotton plantation down in Tallahassee exploits the gullible Edward, even going so far as to press upon him one of his cast-off mistresses – the sensual slave, Jarena. When Jarena bears him a child; Edward’s world tilts precariously.
Back in Lancashire, Mary’s father, Jeremiah, is presented with the irresistible opportunity to get back on to his beloved land, thanks to an elderly careworn farmer, Isaac Mundy. However when Isaac dies, it looks as if Jeremiah’s brave new world has come to an abrupt end.
Meanwhile, the murderous Atty Merriman thinks up a scheme to raise herself out of the gutter. But at what price? Heathersfield Hall becomes a cauldron of gossip when their highly respected land agent, Miles Fisher, finds himself accused of his wife’s murder.
Continuing the saga of the Fitzgerald family now scattered across the globe, trials and temptation dog their every step, even the altruistic young Thomas, now in training to become a priest.
Back in Lancashire, Mary’s father, Jeremiah, is presented with the irresistible opportunity to get back on to his beloved land, thanks to an elderly careworn farmer, Isaac Mundy. However when Isaac dies, it looks as if Jeremiah’s brave new world has come to an abrupt end.
Meanwhile, the murderous Atty Merriman thinks up a scheme to raise herself out of the gutter. But at what price? Heathersfield Hall becomes a cauldron of gossip when their highly respected land agent, Miles Fisher, finds himself accused of his wife’s murder.
Continuing the saga of the Fitzgerald family now scattered across the globe, trials and temptation dog their every step, even the altruistic young Thomas, now in training to become a priest.
