Halifax, 1832. Rejected by aristocratic Vere Hobart, Anne Lister returns to her shabby ancestral home, Shibden Hall, determined to restore its fortunes and find herself a wife.

Anne begins a playful but dangerous courtship of shy local heiress Miss Walker, who quickly finds herself captivated by the attention of her charismatic and unusual neighbour.

Anne Lister and Ann Walker are growing closer, but are they playing with fire? Meanwhile, the Rawson brothers step up their attempts to outmanoeuvre Anne in the coal business.

Anne and Ann are consumed by the excitement of their affair, until bad news prompts Ann Walker to reveal a crippling and compromising secret.

The arrival of a sinister figure from Ann Walker’s past prompts bitter Mrs Priestley to stir up trouble, jeopardising Ann’s future with Anne Lister.

As Ann Walker’s mental health spirals out of control, her Scottish in-laws step in and Anne Lister faces a heart-breaking decision.

Anne finally confronts Christopher Rawson and, as she heads off to Europe, puts in place a bold but risky coal plan.

Difficult news from Shibden threatens to call Anne back from her aristocratic lifestyle in Denmark, while Ann Walker finally finds the courage to take control of her future.