The Marquis and Marquise de Castillon, together with their young son, Jean Pierre, were forced to flee France for England when the French Revolution broke out in 1789. Jean Pierre was educated at Eton and only returned to Paris when Napoleon came to power. It was not long before he joined Napoleon's Army, survived the retreat from Moscow, and was badly wounded at the Battle of Waterloo. Whilst in hospital he becomes friends with Colonel Hubert Dawlish. They made joint wills leaving everything to the other.Jean Pierre, now the marquis, survived but finds his estate in ruins. Then the late Colonel Dawlish's three children arrive, as he is now their guardian.