Since he's been away fighting in the French wars, things in Cornwall have changed rather dramatically for Ross Poldark.

George and Elizabeth Warleggan (with their new child Valentine) have taken over the stewardship of the Penrice estate, and Aunt Agatha Poldark is now a guest in her own house. Oemelza's brothers, Sam and Drake, have come looking for work, and to spread their Methodist mission, much to the consternation of the local vicar and his flock. And Ross's best friend Dwight is lost, somewhere on the French coast, his ship having been wrecked thereabouts.

However, now he's back in Cornwall, matters of a higher nature require Ross Poldark's attention, when he's asked to stand as a candidate for Member of Parliament by Sir Francis Bennet. Declining, Ross makes a grave mistake - leaving the door to the Commons open for his arch enemy, George Warleggan.

Welcome to Cornwall, near the turn of the nineteenth century, where an air of celebration pervades. However, even as Admiral Lord Nelson defeats the French fleet in the battle of the Nile, the situation between the recently returned Ross Poldark and George Warleggan is no nearer a conclusion.

And things at home aren't much better for Ross, for Demelza is playing a very dangerous game with Lord Falmouth's nephew, Hugh Armitage. A ride on the cliffs, a stroll by the sea, a stolen kiss on the beach. All innocent enough, but how will Ross react when he finds out the truth?

He'll possibly react in the same way as to the unwanted advances of that Regency dandy Captain Adderley, and settle the matter with pistols, at dawn. But Hugh Armitage is not long for this world, and by the looks of things, neither is Pascoe's bank, Ross's lifelong supporter. Who could be behind its demise? Who indeed?