The locals are rehearsing for their annual production of St George and the Dragon. They long to perform the play for their squire, but their letter to Sir Timothy in London has gone unanswered. Twister, meanwhile, is in Queenie’s bad books. He’s refusing to relinquish the role of St George to a younger man, and an exasperated Queenie has moved out of their cottage and set up home in the woods.

When Dorcas hears that Sir Timothy has finally returned, she waits nervously for him to come to the post office. As the days go by, and he doesn’t arrive, she decides to pay him a visit. She finds not Sir Timothy, but Lady Adelaide. A tense meeting between the former rivals for Sir Tim’s affections leaves Dorcas none the wiser as to his whereabouts.

Laura, meanwhile, has been called back to Lark Rise to help nurse her father, who is confined to bed with an injured back. Being back at home is unsettling for Laura – she’s reminded of her humble beginnings, and worries that she is not worthy of the sophisticated Daniel. Pearl only exacerbates the problem by encouraging Daniel to play hard to get. Minnie, though, is thrilled at being allowed to deliver mail in Laura’s absence.

With the play fast approaching, and still no sign of Sir Timothy, Dorcas becomes increasingly concerned that all is not well in the squire’s household. And when she hears rumours of a mysterious correspondence between Lady Adelaide and a man in London, it only fuels her anxiety. Finally, Lady Adelaide arrives to announce that the squire will not be returning, and Dorcas persuades her to attend the play in his place.

While rehearsals for the play are in full swing, Queenie is enjoying the independence and solitude of her new home in the woods. But when she hears that the Lark Risers are struggling to cast a dragon to play opposite Twister’s St George, Queenie seizes the opportunity to teach him a lesson once and for all. Lady Adelaide dutifully accompanies Dorcas to the play, and afterwards, in an emotional confrontation between the two women, the mystery of the missing Sir Timothy is solved, and Dorcas and Lady Adelaide finally put their past history to rest