It is 1910 and life in Wiltshire is far from pleasant for Mattie Willitt and her sisters. Bullied by her stepfather, who attempts to force her into an unwelcome marriage, Mattie decides her only hope for happiness is to run away. With no destination in mind, Mattie soon finds herself lost on a country lane and collapses. She is discovered and nurtured back to health by Jacob, a widower living with his two young children. With nowhere else to go, Mattie stays with Jacob and the two of them grow close. Their relationship is complicated by Emily Newington, the elderly landowner, who wishes to protect her property from her greedy cousin. Emily offers Jacob a job on condition that he marries Mattie. Nevertheless, life with Jacob is preferable to the arranged marriage thrust upon her by her stepfather, who is determined to track her down. When Mattie's whereabouts are revealed, they must all face their fears and stand up to those who threaten their future happiness.