Far away in France, what came to be known as the Great War moves inexorably on. The peaceful calm of Cresswell Manor in Devon is shattering. More and more soldiers arrive home to recover from their wounds and convalesce - their minds and their bodies broken. The old social order is crumbling as surely as time begins to breach the walls of the ancient manor house. With their menfolk away at the Front, the women left behind take on the burden of running the estate, as well as their homes and households, working harder than they ever have before. Some of the women battle on and remain faithful, while loneliness encourages others to stray. Will life ever be the same again for Rowan, in conflict with society and fearful of what the future may hold; for Esmeralda, who is riddled with guilt? Is it too late for Hannah to find her life's companion, and will Dolly ever be reconciled with the man she loves? These and many other conflicts add drama to this glorious saga of home life against the terrible backdrop of war.