Cirrus@Austlit

'The country manor house of Greyladies is always owned by a female descendant of the Latimers. When Harriet inherits it, that comes as a complete surprise.

'She's been working as a maid in a large country house, but when she realises that her stepmother wants to get her hands on her inheritance, she runs away. She goes with the partly crippled son of her employer, with whom she's great friends. Joseph has quarrelled with his father. She had been going to work as Joseph's housekeeper, now she's unsure what will happen, so they go to look at her house, expecting to find only a cottage.

'When the stepbrother finds out she's inherited a big house, he and his mother cause trouble. Who is to protect her from danger?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'During WWI, Greyladies - an ancient manor house in rural Wiltshire - is requisitioned for a hospital. Its mistress, Harriet, Joseph and their sons are allowed to stay in the rear part of the house, but when tragedy strikes Joseph's brothers, his future at Greyladies is at risk. Latimer family legend says a new mistress will be found to look after the house, yet how does this happen?In Swindon, Phoebe Sinclair is unaware of her connection to Greyladies and the Latimers. When her German employers are interned because of the war, she loses her job. Even worse, her brutish step-cousin Frank tries to force her to marry him. Phoebe flees to London. A chance encounter leads her to a new life as a nursing assistant in the VAD, and to a blossoming friendship with career soldier Corin McMinty. When she's posted to Greyladies, she feels she's come home. But Frank is still pursuing her and Corin has his own problems. With obstacles at every turn, can Phoebe find happiness and embrace the role of mistress of Greyladies?' (Publication summary)

'Wiltshire, December 1915. Olivia Hanbury is widowed and has been persuaded by her cousin Donald to move in with his meek little wife while he is serving in France. When he's wounded, he returns home to convalesce. Tensions rise between him and lively Olivia. Her friend Babs involves her in starting the new Women's Institutes and introduces her to Alex, an antiques dealer. Meanwhile, Phoebe Latimer is holding the fort at Greyladies, an ancient manor house, while her husband is away at war. But someone is attempting to rid Greyladies of the German internees based there. Their nasty tricks put Phoebe's life and that of her unborn child at risk. A chance meeting brings Olivia to Greyladies, and she feels as though she's finally come home. Alex joins her there. Will these three help one another through these troubled times? Or will violent men destroy Greyladies and all it stands for?'