In 1842 in Candlewood, New York Emma Garrett is a caring kindhearted soul who is always there to help someone else. When a fire devastates the town, no one is shocked that she offers rooms in her boardinghouse at no charge although there is little space to house anyone else. However, Emma also has legal problems involving the ownership of the Hill House that she converted into a boardinghouse. Adding to her woes is that her lawyer Zachary Breckenwith no longer wants to represent her as he feels a conflict of interest because he loves her. He is the only person she has told the truth about her questionable ownership of Hill House.