In 1697, the ruinous Nine Years’ War has ended, the Treaty of Ryswick signed. As an emblem of peace, Alexander Parr, a British general, falls under the spell of the beautiful and fiery Diane de Plaisance, daughter of a French count. Once they marry, however, his love soon turns to hatred as he begins to believe that their firstborn child, Basil, is not his son. These suspicions unleash a torrent of passion and strife which will rock the Parr household for decades and echo down the generations, forever changing the lives of the Parr children, including tortured Basil, kindhearted Henry, and spirited Mary. An orphaned servant girl, Isabella Tremblay, is embroiled in this firestorm through her relationship with the two brothers, who spar for her love.
