Charlotte Bold returns to Cornwall with her 21-year-old daughter Grace after many years. Grace insists on finally meeting her father, who has no idea she exists: Lord James Blixton. Charlotte used to work as a gardener at the Blixton estate and had a passionate affair with James before he married into his class. He is now a widower and lives with his adult children Lilian and Harry at Blixton Manor. On her first evening in Cornwall, Grace meets Lilian's almost-fiancé, Morris Green, while jogging on the beach. They are both fascinated by each other – without knowing who the other is. After his initial shock, Lord Blixton is delighted to see Charlotte again and to meet Grace, and introduces her to Lilian and Harry. Unlike Harry, who is happy about the new addition to the family, Lilian does everything she can to get rid of the Bolds.