The Gates of Heaven begins the day after war has been declared. With war fever raging, Giles Blakeney sets about forming the Vale of Eden Yeomanry. Daniel Bloom and his friends enlist in a Pals Battalion. Teddie and Clemmie begin nursing and Lady Mae turns Edenhall into a convalescent home. Will is in France looking for runaway, Sidonie. She does not wish to be found but finds salvation in an unusual way. Teddie loves Sigi but with anti-German feelings high, all must be hidden. Hugo is in France with the BEF, followed by the Blakeney boys and Daniel Bloom. The German cousins, Sigi and Hansie, already soldiers are in France too. Teddie and Clemmie go to France to nurse as battles take their toll. Sidonie's problems seem insoluble and, she alienates those who try to help her.The war ends and the survivors gather at Edenhall. Can Edenhall work its magic? Teddie wants only to turn the clock back to the summer of 1914 before the gates of heaven opened wide for the stream of humanity passing through.