Mrs McKeiver is a herbal healer and the Hills' midwife, as well as the 'go to' woman, for all needs. She is supported by the Reverend Reeves and farmer, Andrew Logan. 1799 sees everyone in need, of food, clothes and boots.
The Enclosures Act of 1795 has thrust the Hills into poverty. Her immediate concern is the hastily arranged wedding of the Reverend's cook Hester, to farm manager, Edward. As well as planning herbal treatment for the pregnant Hester, she has to see two women at the Parish House, who will give birth any day. In addition, she has to look after her crippled adult son and ease the pain of the bedridden wife of the Reverend.
The overseer of the Parish House is a thief and child rapist as well as the father of one of Parish Houses' unborn babies. Mrs McKeiver knows she will have to intervene with the two little abused girls, as well as deliver babies.
The local landowner is Sir Lofthouse Small; newly married, he hates his wife as she is unable to read and he cannot consummate the marriage.
The reason, he is a homosexual and desperately longs for a relationship with Mrs McKeiver's brilliant, handsome heterosexual son, Clement. He is totally unaware of this and thinks he is a friend of Sir Lofthouse Small.
