The Walnut Tree by Charles Todd

The Walnut Tree tells the story of Lady Elspeth, who is in France visiting a school friend, Madeline, when World War I breaks out. Madeline's brother, Alain, on whom Elspeth had a huge crush during her school years, is heading off to fight. But before he leaves, he asks Elspeth to marry him and gives her a ring. While she's trying to get back to England, she sees the war up close and decides she wants to become a nurse. She also meets Captain Peter Gilchrist--and realizes he is her true soul mate. Elspeth does complete nursing training (without telling her guardian what she's up to) and goes to work, while worrying about both Alain and Peter. We learn what happens to her, Peter, Alain, Madeline and a variety of other acquaintances during the course of the war. What I found most interesting was that Elspeth, who was clearly such an honorable person, does not tell Peter that she has promised to marry Alain. That seemed out of character to me. And I was a little surprised at her plans when she does meet up with Alain again in France. Still and all, it was an interesting story--and one that makes you glad that women have more rights now. (Independent Elspeth was under the thumb of her guardian till age 30!)If you're a fan of Charles Todd's Bess Crawford series, you'll be pleased to find that she is a minor character in this book.