Darlington's Margaret is the story of a young girl separated from her mother and home by the tragic death of her father.
Margaret sails by cargo ship with her brother and sister to New Brunswick, Canada. Then they travel by train to Welland, Ontario to meet Great Aunt Aileen.
Aunt Aileen treats Margaret and her siblings like servants and Margaret discovers strength within herself while dealing with Aunties unreasonable demands.
Aunt Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, and her new friends at school bring variety and joy into Margaret's life.
Things get worse for Margaret and Beth when Tom is sent back to England.
Margaret begins to work outside of the home and pays a portion of her wages to Aunt Aileen.
When Margaret turns 16, she is forced to move out. She begins working for Mrs. Smith and moves into her first apartment.
When Aunt Aileen has a stroke, Margaret helps look after her. During this time, she and Beth plan a Christmas party to reunite Great Aunt Aileen with her sister Brenda.
Margaret and Beth picnic in the park and Margaret meets Edward, her future husband.