The White Road

1914. In England, the outbreak of war is greeted with euphoria. The nation is inflamed with a desire to 'teach Germany a lesson', and thousands flock to volunteer. Everyone believes the war will be over by Christmas, so there's no time to waste.

Teddy Morland is proud to see his nephews in the forefront. Jack, designer and tester with the Sopwith Aviation Company and one of Britain's earliest fliers, is invited to join the fledgling Royal Flying Corps, launching into battle in the skies. Bertie, a reservist, is in the first wave of British soldiers into France. Ned joins one of the new 'Pals' units, while Ned's wife Jessie takes up Red Cross work.

The family seat, Morland Place - untouched by conflict since Cromwell's time - feels the breath of war as its horses are requisitioned, servants volunteer, and Teddy plans a fierce defence against possible invasion. For his wife and daughter the upheaval has a positive side. The house hasn't been so lively for years, and the war provides an opportunity to restore Teddy's public profile as head of the oldest family in Yorkshire.

But brutal reality sobers national high spirits as the death toll in France rises. And the war comes suddenly closer to home for the Morlands when Jessie's Red Cross work brings her unexpectedly into mortal danger.

As the war drags towards the bloody battlefield of Ypres, Jack's daily brushes with death bring regret about his postponed wedding to Helen. Will they ever have a future together? Yet for Bertie, any future with the woman he loves seems completely impossible. She is in Yorkshire, separated from him by war, geography - and her husband.

The White Road continues the great saga of the Morland dynasty, ushering its members into conflicts that will alter their lives forever.