Under pressure from her mother, Mary weighs up an unconventional offer from Mr Ryder. As Mary grapples with what she truly wants, Lizzy and Mr Collins help Mary chart her own course. And just as Mary thinks she's taken her future into her own hands, a surprise visit from her aunt and uncle leaves everyone reeling.

A group hike up Scafell Pike brings buried emotions and romantic confusion to the surface. During an unforeseen storm, Mary finds herself caught in the middle of rising tensions between Mr Hayward and Mr Ryder. As their expedition takes a turn for the worse, Mary is faced with real danger. The events of the day leave Mary feeling more conflicted than ever before.