After her French father and English mother are brutally murdered, bluestocking Madeleine Moreau impulsively travels to France to find the family she didn't know existed. Madeleine is in favour of the people's revolution but her views are shaken after she arrives in Paris and witnesses Louis XVI's death by guillotine. When France declares war on England Madeleine is trapped, but enigmatic Comte Etienne d'Aubery comes to the rescue when he offers her shelter in his home, Chateau Mirabelle.

Chateau Mirabelle is a place of dark and haunting secrets and as the Revolution gains momentum Madeleine must draw on all her reserves of strength to save Etienne from certain death and ensure their future happiness.