Hadleigh

- Season 3

(1973)

James Hadleigh, Yorkshire's most eligible bachelor, returns - a little older and wiser but still, apparently, self-sufficient. But when he sets out to find a new manservant, the interview process takes an unexpected turn and his peace of mind is somewhat disturbed.

When Hadleigh falls in love, it isn't with a docile creature who would leap at the chance to be mistress of Melford Hall - it's with the independent, high-tempered Jennifer Caldwell, rich enough to need none of the things he has to offer. Except, perhaps, his heart.

Hadleigh and Jennifer have been married for ten days. Jennifer's first social commitment is the annual rent dinner, an old ritual in which Hadleigh entertains his tenants. But this year it seems tradition may be broken and, with it, Hadleigh's dream for the future of the land and the men who work on it.

Jennifer, whose world is one of art and critical judgement, calls in an old friend, Sir Nigel Coleshill, to confirm an opinion. But her confidence in him is shaken when he appears to suffer curious lapses of memory - brought on, it seems, by the sight of Aunt Helen...

A wedding brings Hadleigh into confrontation with his father-in-law, and Jennifer finds that it's not easy to be loyal to two men - father and husband - at the same time.

The Hadleighs have had their first row. Jennifer is at home with her father in Liverpool and Hadleigh is alone at Melford. Is this the right or the wrong moment for the attractive Mrs. Paige to appear on the scene?

Hadleigh must back a hunch. If wrong, it could spell disaster for his father-in-law. Once again, Jennifer finds that when husband and father have interests in common, it doesn't necessarily make for harmony in the home.

Hadleigh gets lost, and Jennifer finds herself emotionally bewildered. They find, as many couples do, that it's when you are beset by your own problems that friends turn up with theirs...

The Hadleighs realise that, despite excellent references, they know very little of their impeccable manservant. When he starts receiving mysterious phone calls and behaving in an uncharacteristic way, they begin to wonder...

When Hadleigh visits the principal of a women's college to intervene on his goddaughter's behalf, he finds himself up against a ruthlessness and determination not often associated with the weaker sex.

Charlie Caldwell, Jennifer's father, comes to Melford for a quiet family weekend. But what ensues is highly disturbing, and nearly splits the family apart. What is he up to?

Hadleigh finds himself, for once, faced with situations that even he cannot influence. Jennifer is restless. Sutton demonstrates that even the perfect manservant is human. And all Hadleigh can do is watch and wait.

The Hadleighs have been married eight months. Jennifer is convinced that she has a rival more dangerous than any other woman - Melford itself. Can their marriage survive?