It's 1854 and war rages between Britian and their French allies against Russia in Crimea, Turkey. Many of Britain's sons have already been shipped to the front lines and more join them daily in the trenches. Lady Lillian Hansford is quite disappointed that the dashing British Captain she's just met and has nevertheless formed an immediate attachment to, has been sent to fight against the Russians. Jaded and dejected, Lady Lillian searches the newspapers daily for news of the war and, in particular, her Captain. In so doing she discovers the terrible conditions of the wounded and dying soldiers in Crimea. She also learns that Miss Florence Nightingale is gathering her own group of nurses with plans to travel to the Crimea to help treat the wounded and improve their conditions. Although initially motivated by a sense of Christian charity, she nonetheless, see an opportunity to be with her Captain. She convinces Miss Nightingale to take her with her as her personal assistant.

Lillian works tirelessly to ease the suffering of the wounded but in the chaos of war, is unable to find her Captain. She does encounter one of his lieutenants, James Wright, whom she resents and mistrusts, convinced he is trying to keep her from her Captain.

Lieutenant James Wright was raised by a poor Irish family and groomed from the start for a military career. He never questioned his commission when he found himself fighting against the Russians in the Crimea. He does question, however, his frequent and puzzling dreams about a woman who he felt he knew to be his mother but who was not the woman who raised him. Were these dreams or childhood memories resurfacing?

Lillian begins to question her own convictions as well. For some reason nothing is as it seems concerning her Captain. And she finally comes to the conclusion that what she really desires is just one worthy gentleman of noble character and firm convictions who would be a hero rather than acting the part for personal advantage.