Michael's dreams for Chelworth remain only partly fulfilled. It is time to square his account with Ewan Chivers.

Barbara Chivers finds loyalty to her husband increasingly difficult to sustain. Meanwhile, personal matters cast a shadow over Michael's long-term plans for Chelworth. 

While Michael's financial resources are stretched to breaking point, Chivers goes from strength to strength. It is time for Michael to settle some old scores. 

Michael has been determined to remain aloof from local politics, but the annual arts festival finally forces him to open his doors to the public - much against his better judgment. 

Several months have passed and Chelworth is beginning to exert a powerful influence over the Hincham family. But not all of them are seduced by its spell. 

Michael Hincham and his family have now moved into Chelworth, and already the restoration of the house is making alarming financial demands. But it is the ambitions of his neighbour, Ewan Chivers, which seem likely to cause Michael his biggest headache.

Michael is determined to restore Chelworth to its former glory and reunite his family under its roof - a decision which meets with almost universal dismay. 

The unexpected death of the 6th Earl of Hincham leaves his younger brother, Michael Anstey, as heir to both his title and his much neglected estate - Chelworth. The expectation of the family is that Michael will rapidly dispose of the latter, but Michael has other ideas.