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.

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.