Preparing to return home, James witnesses a confrontation that results Lady Helen falling unconscious. He's ordered to stay and see to her recovery. The rich and influential woman invites James to her home while he waits for the next voyage home. While at her manor, she flirts with him and makes another suitor jealous.
James must help his brother-in-law when he is accused of a crime he didn't commit. James finds his brother-in-law, Andrew in jail after a constable drops dead while they were arguing at an inn. James' mother in law implores him to help the case but authorities are unreceptive and urge Andrew to plead guilty and take a lighter sentence. Andrew refuses and James sets out to the innkeeper and local doctor to uncover the actual facts to prove Andrew's innocence.
A fugitive saves Neil's life and Neil must do the same for him. Neil falls through the ice while hunting and is fished out by an injured stranger who turns out to be a killer. Neil talks the man into coming home with him to get help and return the favor of saving his life. Meanwhile, two bountyhunters looking for the killer have taken refuge with the Campbells and refuse to leave. When the killer makes his way to the cabin, the bountyhunters take him. Having gained no sympathy from the Campbells during their stay, the bountyhunters are overtaken and the killer is held until and constable can retrieve him. The bountyhunters lose their reward.
An angry band of Iroquois surround the farm when James takes in an injured member of their group. Emma finds an injured Iroquois in the barn. They bring him inside to tend to his wounds which have been inflicted by fellow tribe members. When they find he's in the cabin the harrass the family, demanding that the turn over the man. James refuses. They take Sims hostage. James still refuses and releases Sims. As the wounded man watches James' bravery, he decides to turn himself in and face his fate.
Rebecca and Emma attempt an outing only to encounter a disturbed hermit. Emma is spending to much time stuck inside the cabin with her brothers and father and tempers are rising. James feels sorry for her and lets her visit with Rebecca. Rebecca is feeling the same way at her house. The two girls meet outside and decide to spend the afternoon at the inn. On the way, their horse startles and leaves them stranded in the snow when they come upon a hermit who pursues them.
Lady Caroline from the episode A Real Lady return to become a school teacher. ""Miss Quincy"" arrives for the first day of school. James and Sims are unaware that she is really Lady Caroline until they see her. Sims doubts she's up to the job of rural teacher but James gives her a chance. Indeed, she's in way over her head.
Rebecca's cousin comes to visit and comes to suspect that she's fallen in love with Neil. It's really Neil who likes her. The cousin Amanda, has been sent to her uncle, Thomas Sims', house to keep her away from the man she loves. Neil crosses paths with her and soon he has eyes only for her. Amanda pays little attention to Neil, she's more interested in sending notes to her beau and planning their elopement. Rebecca comes to think Amanda has her eyes on Neil and gets jealous. When Amanda is injured it's her beau who comes to her aid and their secret is out.
James enjoys an affair with a beautiful actress. Emma tries to imitate her. James saves traveling actress Rachel as her coach becomes stranded in town for a few days. While she's in town, James spends as much time with her as possible. Neil resents the time he spends away from the farm and Emma aspires to be like her.
Mary's lost love returns to marry her. She's still in love with him and is willing. What she doesn't know is that he's a military deserter who just robbed a coach. When the law catches up with him and he takes Mary and Emma hostage...well, that sort of ruins the mood and Mary must once again say goodbye.
Emma is frustrated with her role on the farm. Neil is frustrated with Emma. James is frustrated with Neil and John is just bored. As James and Neil are clearing land a stranger shows up to buy goods from them, he eventually tries to cheat them but James doesn't let him get away with it. Meanwhile, Emma is bored with her usual chores and bugs everyone about it.
A young lieutenant visits the Sims and asks for Sims' blessing to marry Rebecca, which he gives, against her wishes. Neil gets jealous when he sees that Sims views him as unsuitable for his daughter and a soldier comes to visit and court Rebecca. Rebecca is receptive at first but discovers that the soldier is abusive and she wants nothing to do with him. Neil and the soldier face off in a fight and Sims sees the cads lack of character and apologizes to Neil.
A poorly kept indentured servant finds a safe haven with the Campbells. John finds a weakened boy on the property and find he's a runaway. When James discovers the conditions under which the boy has lived, he refuses to return the boy, ultimately paying for the boy and sending to live with a local woman who welcomes the help.