Born into a large Cornish family at the turn of the century, young Katie Warren is forced to abandon her dreams of teaching when her mother dies in childbirth. Instead, she goes into service at the big house. Katie is soon content with her work - and finds herself growing fond of the shy, but kind son of the house, George Trevaron. But George's unscrupulous brother comes between them, Katie is dismissed, and George enlists to bury his emotions in the dangers and devastations of the Boer War...
