Yorkshire 1904. On Netherwood Common Russian emigre Anna Rabinovich shows her dear friend Eve Williams a house: a Victorian villa solidly built from local stone. This is Ravenscliffe & it's the house Anna wants them to live in. It's their house she says. It was meant to be. As Anna transforms Ravenscliffe an attraction grows between her & union man Amos. But when Eve's long-lost brother Silas turns up in the closely-knit mining community of Netherwood cracks begin to appear in even the strongest friendships. Meanwhile at Netherwood Hall cherished traditions are being undermined by the whims of the feckless heir to the title Tobias Hoyland & his American bride Thea Stirling. Below stairs the loyal servants strive to preserve the noble family's dignity & reputation. But both inside the great house & in the world beyond values & loyalties are rapidly changing.