Sunset on Golden Wings continues the story of Maidy and Ruth, although three years have passed since the tragic events of the summer swans first visited the city.

Having swapped her dreams of escaping to sea in a tall-masted ship for an ocean-going liner, Maidy is on the way to New York, where Ruth, now a famous film star, is to be married. Promising Pappy to toss her sad memories overboard, this proves impossible, when a chance encounter with a passenger revives thoughts of Zande.

On her return, a job offer from Hans, to work in his art shop in Flambeau in France, brings Justine, a ballerina, and both his mistress and his patron, into Maidy’s life. But all too soon Ruth and Zande step out from the wings and reassume their dominance of events. Ruth re-awakens Hans’ boyhood passion for her, placing his relationship with Justine in jeopardy, and Zande?