In the wake of the resounding victory at the Battle of Oudenarde, career soldier Captain Daniel Rawson must take a leading role in the Allies' new strategy - to strike deeper into French Flanders and lay siege to Lille, the 'pearl of fortresses'. While the dashing Eugene, Prince of Savoy, is put in command of the siege, Daniel is sent to steal vital plans from inside Lille. Only partially successful, he has to return to the city to rescue his accomplice, the effervescent Rachel Rees. The Duke of Marlborough, meanwhile, finds his position as captain-general threatened by political enemies back in England. He is not helped by his wife Sarah, whose forthrightness has soured her hitherto close friendship with Queen Anne. Daniel Rawson is unaware that his beloved Amalia is herself under siege in England. A dangerous admirer is determined to seduce her, even if he has to have Daniel murdered before he can do so. As the weather worsens and Lille's famed defences appear to be holding, Daniel has to fight against one of his own allies, dwindling supplies, weakening morale, French patrols and a hired assassin. He must battle bravely on or risk losing everything -