The book starts off in London in the 1880s. The main protagonist, Eleanor Partiger, is a young woman who tries to take care of her large family. Her mother is terminally ill and in constant need of medicine. Her father, Colonel Abel Partiger is too old-fashioned to be of any use in the house. The ex-soldier is also having an affair which he tries to keep hidden. Eleanor is left to care of her six siblings, Milly, Martin, Delia, Edward, Morris and Rose.
As the story progresses, their sick mother dies and the Colonel becomes dependent on his daughter as his old age begins to take toll. Eleanor tries to balance her work and family responsibilities which becomes extremely hard for her. Colonel is close with his brother Digby and enjoys casual chats with him. Digby is the father of two daughters, Sara and Maggie. As the years continue, Digby and his wife die. Their children move to a foreign country in search of a new life. After his brother’s death, the Colonel becomes frailer.
The story follows the lives of Eleanor’s siblings and cousins. Sara and Maggie return home after some years and Maggie gets married to a French man. The couple has two children and briefly lives in France after relocating. Eleanor’s brother, Morris, becomes a wealthy lawyer and father of three children. Rose becomes a women’s rights activist which leads to her imprisonment. Edward becomes a successful poet, and Martin grows up to become a socialite like his cousin Kitty.
After Colonel’s death, Eleanor sells her family homes and moves to Spain. Now that all her brothers and sisters are all grown up, she feels empty and without purpose. Eleanor realizes she has given up her youth for her family and wonders if she has enough time to live the life she always dreamt of.
