Wiltshire, December 1915. Widow Olivia Harbury has been persuaded by her cousin Donald to live with him and his wife, but tensions soon rise between the pair. Then, much to Donald's disapproval, Olivia becomes involved in starting a new Women's Institute.

A chance meeting brings Olivia to Greyladies, an ancient manor house run by Phoebe Latimer, and she feels as though she's finally come home. But someone is attempting to rid Greyladies of the German internees based there. Their cruel tricks put Phoebe's life and that of her unborn child at risk. Can these two help one another through these troubled times? Or will violent men destroy Greyladies and all it stands for?