When his father is killed in World War I, Charlie enlists to take his place, leaving instructions to Rebecca to sell everything and keep his share secure for when he returns.

Once satisfied that Charlie is a hard worker and is generating business, combined with his lack of other employment options, he accepts the offer.

With the looming threat of a general strike, Charlie resolves to keep business as usual, and buys a few more shops at low prices, along with an art gallery which had been previously sold to Guy Trentham's wife.

However, things are smooth enough that he and Rebecca take a trip to the United States, where he falls in love with Bloomingdale's and Marshall Fields, resolving to build a store greater than either of those in London.

He re-enlists in the army, but Prime Minister Winston Churchill needs him for logistics, obtaining and distributing food for the troops and the home front.

Upon her father's death, Mrs. Trentham uses the estate to buy as much Trumper's stock as she can, intending for her son Nigel to become chairman of the company.

As he has become a lord, he attends parliament, and suddenly gains a new hold on life, rising early and talking about agriculture committees.

However, when a request comes in for an order of Cuban cigars for Mr. Field from the United States, neither Rebecca nor Cathy knows which brand he smokes.