In the Paris of Napoleon III, the beautiful, impetuous Vardy Cutter falls in love with the passionate Colonel Max Cary de Lily, a soldier of fortune and of France. When the Franco-Prussian war begins, Vardy must be rescued from the siege of Paris. But when she returns, it is only to be caught in the wake of violence and to find her lover's career is in ruins as he is faced with a court martial and his life is at risk. This historical drama is a romp through the chaos that is war. John Harris presents a story of battles and armies, proud regiments, love and loss.