The war has come, leaving in its wake a chasm between North and South, turning friends and brothers into enemies. Now, as the nation begins to understand the true meaning of civil war, so the Rocklins begin to understand the fierce and terrible pull of loyalty - to a way of life, to one's country, and to God. Deborah Steele finds herself torn between her passionate belief in the Union and her deep love for Dent Rocklin, a dashing Confederate officer.

Burke Rocklin, Clay's irresponsible brother, returns home with one goal: to marry an heiress. He fixes his sights on Belinda King, a spoiled, beautiful young heiress who leads him on a merry chase. But Burke's plans are waylaid by the Second Battle of Manassas, where he is critically wounded. In a coma, stripped of his possessions by scavengers, he is mistakenly transported to the Union army hospital. When he comes out of his coma, he has no memory

Daniel Bradford, a poor young Britisher who, through a cruel twist of fate, is left to die in the infamous Dartmoor Prison. His only hope for escape comes when he agrees to a seven-year indenture in America, under a cruel and exacting master.

Eventually, Daniel marries, and they settle in Virginia. Daniel meets George Washington and experiences firsthand the taste of freedom sweeping the land. Then tragedy strikes, and Daniel moves his family