Orphan Dolly Leonard was happy to be taken in by the wealthy Mrs. Carstairs to live in Taltree Manor, but then Mrs. Carstairs had a stroke leaving her paralysed. When her relatives arrived, they discovered their aunt was leaving her estate to Dolly , on the condition that Dolly was still living there at the time of Mrs. Carstair’s death. They were determined to get rid of Dolly before this happened.
In the 1920s, Molly a young girl from New York, was hired to accompany 15 year old orphan Susan Latimer to meet her grandmother, Lady Windmarch, in Britain. But then another Susan Latimer appeared also claiming to be Lady Windmarch’s granddaughter. Neither girl really cared for the old woman and actually caused her more distress with their squabbling and rivalry.
Sophie Gray and her brother, Jack, are able to leave the orphanage they stay in when they inherit a cottage when their Great-Uncle Lional had left them. They find a secret passageway in the cottage that leads to Black Scar mine. There they help the poor boys who slave in the mine for the sinister Silas Morgan.
Noreen O’Donald left Ireland to try and trace her past in England. She is taken in and given a job by the Barkers, but doesn’t realise that they are her relatives who have just inherited her father’s estate. They intended to keep the truth from her so they can keep the inheritance themselves.
Winnie Johnson a poor girl from London did not know she is the daughter of Lord Marvon, the owner of the house she know works as a servant in. She was the result of a previous secret marriage of Marvons.
Queenie Smith becomes owner of a village and castle when she finds a hidden will by Lord Tingley, that states whoever finds the will becomes his heir.
When he died violinist Rupert West left his cook’s daughter money and a violin on the condition that she passed a certain music exam by the end of the years. His relatives want that money so they wish to see Vickie fail.
When William Tent died, his will set up a number of tests to decide who should inherit his fortune – His nieces Jo and Jill or their cousins Edna and Nigel.
The Carters are left a dilapidated castle by Mr. Carter’s old commanding officer after he dies. They open the castle to the public to help pay for the repairs.
Wealthy young Becky Radcliffe, had lived at her two aunts Redcliffe house since her parents were killed in a plane crash. When Becky’s brother an actor turned up after being missing presumed dead, Becky was delighted but there were certain things that puzzled Becky about Simon.