As the Houses of York and Lancaster clash, young Elizabeth Sheldyke is married off to the ageing master of the Heron estate. As the years progress a seed of fear is planted in the young woman's mind. Could she possibly be barren? When widowhood hits her earlier than most, Elizabeth is taken with the notion of restoring Heron to its former grandeur. But a passionate love threatens her new found independence when John Kendal sweeps her away in a whirlwind of desire. More anxious than ever to have a baby of her own the years fly past Elizabeth on the Heron estate; love grows, feuds break out, war rears its ugly head and her desperation reaches its climax...