The villagers of Turnham Malpas are in for a shock. With Sir Ralph now dead, his fortune and title go to a newcomer, Johnny Templeton. He could not be more different to his well-loved predecessor. And he is soon in conflict with long-standing members of Turnham Malpas - particularly Craddock Fitch - who is determined to obstruct Johnny's plan to buy back the Templeton estate. There are villagers who have their own crises, but the local gossip surrounds Marcus and Alice March. Finally, after they had longed for a child for years, Alice has become pregnant. However, she has grown close to Johnny, prompting doubts about the child's progeny. Now Alice must make the most difficult of decisions - whether to follow her heart or her morals.