It is 1880 and life is harsh. When Annie Carter's father dies of consumption, her mother Sabina is left with seven mouths to feed and the family soon face the workhouse. To save them from starvation, Annie steals vegetables from the Manor House garden, risking jail or transportation. She is watched by Robert, the Lord's son, but far from turning her in, he befriends her. Annie introduces Robert to a very different world from the one he knows, and he is fascinated by the life she leads. Difficult though it is, they begin to spend time together and soon develop feelings they know have no future. Harry Rudd, the village blacksmith has long admired Annie and when he proposes, her mother urges her to accept. She reminds Annie, that as a kitchen maid, she will never be allowed to marry Robert. Harry is a good man and Annie is fond of him. Her head knows what she should do, but will her heart listen?
