Walter and Maria have gone to America. Sam takes a dangerous Job as an undercover agent in Palestine. Barbara confronts the prospect of a lonely return to Chattisham.

Barbara goes to London for a few weeks ' on loan' to Maria. Walter's self-proclaimed father, Eddie, now emerges as a real threat, and Maria's refusal to acknowledge the truth poses an increasing problem. Sam's friendship becomes all the more important to Barbara.

Barbara has unwelcome time on her hands. But things change drastically when the internationally-famous Austrian film star Maria Lang comes for the weekend - with her notorious love-child, Walter.

The Duke is recovered now, but clearly an old man. Lord Somerville seems incapable of facing up to his impending responsibilities. Meanwhile Barbara has problems with her father of quite a different kind.

Sophia returns from boarding school in a rebellious frame of mind. The Duke's inability to accept that tennis in a heatwave is not wise at his age is causing some concern. Barbara's friendships with Lillian and Twomey are of great comfort to her. But her relationship with Twomey develops an unforeseen complication.

January 1936. Barbara and Twomey go to a party where she meets an old friend. At home, the King's sudden illness and death throw the household into turmoil. But it leads to an important discovery about Henry.

With the Boxing Day meet coming up Sophia makes a dramatic discovery and Henry announces that he doesn't like hunting ...

Still in a state of some shock Barbara has decided to explore Mr Phipps's offer of a job with his cousins in Yorkshire. All she knows about them when she sets out is their name ...

William is not well and when Barbara's father Donald writes to say that he's staying not far up the coast at a boarding-house run by Dolly Partridge , an old friend from India, Barbara decides that a few days by the sea would do them all good.

May 1935: Barbara has now been with the Rudds for over a year. After their financial collapse, they have moved to an ultra-modern house near Ipswich, and the ebullient Mr Rudd is working on an invention which he is convinced will restore their fortunes. But May, their daughter, has fallen dramatically in love with the son of a very grand neighbour and Barbara is put into a difficult position.