1890s. Seventeen years have passed and the Lanarkshire mining village of Blacklaw has weathered both depression and the driving ambition of its coalmaster. But at last, falling wages have driven the miners to desperate rebellion... During a violent pit strike Neill Stalker is accused of murder, and only one thing can save him, for Neill is the illegitimate son of Drew Stalker. In Edinburgh, Drew has become Scotland's most eminent young advocate, with the highest honours within his grasp. Only scandal can bring him down - and scandal in the form of his bastard son is about to re-enter his life. His sister Mirrin faces a different threat to her hard-won respectability. Married with Tom Armstrong, she is now happily with children and enjoying her life on the Hazelrig Farm. As Tom's eyesight fails and their farm's future become uncertain, Mirrin must draw on all her courage to survive.