The Nurses Plight
Nell Harte

In the midst of the Crimean war, Diana Bickerstaff, a genteel young woman from Bath, has a profound interest in the work of Florence Nightingale.
Horrified at her foolish notions, her parents forbid her from the deplorable vocation of nursing, and Diana, determined to join the sisterhood, flees in the middle of the night. Naïve and unworldly in the seedy environment of London, Diana becomes the victim of a vicious attack.
Beaten and bloodied, Diana is discovered by the good hearted Reggie Wilder who takes it upon himself to care for Diana and a sweet friendship begins.
But soon Diana begins her training at St Johns House, and, on her first day despite a shocking revelation and a startling secret, Diana discovers a strong ally in Nurse Joan.
As Diana cares for the wounded, Reggie remains a source of encouragement and their love grows. But Reggie makes a fateful decision and Joan is recruited by Florence Nightingale to the war fields of Russia.
Now Diana is left behind to do battle with disease and injury of the wounded.
As weeks turn to months, Diana accepts the inevitable, neither Reggie nor Joan will return.
Has the Crimean war stolen everything that matters to Diana? Is Reggie lost on the fields of Russia along with so many thousands? And what of Joan, can Diana bring herself to fulfil Joan’s deepest wish?