Dreaming of marriage? When Matilda's father retires through ill health, the family's new life in Much Winterlow is in reduced circumstances. To make ends meet, Matilda applies to be Dr. Henry Lovell's receptionist. She does her best to ignore the strong attraction she feels for him. Dreaming of a wite wedding and a happy marriage are not for her! And Henry is engaged to Lucilla, after all. But Henry won't leave the village despite Lucilla's wish to live in London, and as he gets to know Matilda, he becomes more and more intrigued by her...