As one of three daughters of the wealthy Sir Walter, Anne is a privileged but lonely member of the English aristocracy. When her father leaves on a trip, he rents out part of his estate to relatives of Anne's ex-fiancé, Capt. Frederick Wentworth. Though Anne demurred over the marriage because of Wentworth's poor social standing and connections, he has since become very successful, and when he visits, Anne must confront the life she left behind.