A veteran campaigner at the age of twenty-five, Brigade-Major Harry Smith is reputed to be the luckiest man in Lord Wellington's army.

But at the siege of Badajos, his friends foretell the ruin of his career. For when Harry meets the defenceless Juana, he falls instantly in love.

With the selfsame ardour he so frequently displays in battle, Harry dives happily into marriage. In his beautiful young bride, he finds a kindred spirit: bold and courageous, she is his perfect match.

But for Juana, who chooses to accompany her new husband's army, a long, perilous year of war must follow ...