For sale: one six month old child called Lizzie. The seller: Grace Beighton who watched the baby's mother die. She is the only one who knows who the father is. The buyer: Luther Dearne has made a fortune with the iron masters of Yorkshire's South Riding. He has everything he could possibly want - except children. Hated by her adopted mother, adored and spoilt by her new father, Lissie will grow into a beautiful and independent woman. The child bought in a dark and dirty tavern will prove to be Luther Dearne's greatest joy, deepest heartache and finally his undoing.