[2] During the Regency period, Sir Graham Rodney, an impoverished womaniser, is living off the largess of Lady Charlotte, his rich aunt.
Sir Graham disguises himself to become the notorious highwayman, "Frenchy", to pay his debts and add excitement to his life of leisure.
More than three decades later, in the early Victorian era, William's son, Valentine Fayre, owns Huntersmoon.
He marries Veronica Lyddington, the illegitimate daughter of the late Sir Graham and Lydia.
Valentine meets Melanie, Sir Graham's niece; they fall in love and plan to run away together, but Veronica reveals that she is pregnant.
In 1945, Valentine's grandson, Bay Fayre, wins the hand of Melody, the girl who represents the love that he had lost in earlier generations.