Rosamunde Pilcher: Im Licht Des Feuers

Since the last earl's death, widow Catherine ran the Cornish family estate poorly. When her son in law and oldest daughter die in a fire which wipes out the stables, pre-teen grandson Christopher is orphaned and a sale of the estate inevitable. The other daughter, Julia, gravely compromises her engagement with lawyer Gordon by deciding to move to the estate as Christopher's substitute mother rather then join his London law practice. Former gardener Henry Walsh's son Stephen returns very rich from America. He is mutually attracted to both Christopher and Julia and offers to buy the estate at asking price, but lady Catherine would rather see it auctioned.