The Wideacre estate is bankrupt. The villagers are living in poverty and Wideacre Hall is a smoke-blackened ruin. But in the Dower House two children are being raised in protected innocence. Equal claimants to the inheritance of the Wideacre, rivals for the love of the village. Only one can be the favoured child and inherit the magical understanding between the land and the Lacey family. Only one can be Beatrice Lacey' true heir.