Among Napoleon's lesser known activities was matchmaking. Alix, widow of the Prince of Montpierre and known for her elegance and intelligence, seemed to the Emperor a good match for one of his most successful generals, Laroche.

But Alix is loath to marry anyone, her first marriage not having been happy. An unexpected proposal by the Comte de Berthol - a mere acquaintance, but like herself a Luxembourger - seems suddenly more attractive than submission to the Emperor's palns.

On reaching the Comte's castle at Falkenberg she finds a more interesting yet more mystifying personality than she had anticipated. The attempted murder of General Laroche begins a chain of events which leads her to discover a depth of emotion she had not known she could possess.