Judith stood in the centre of the cell, looking around her. The only light was from a window high up in the stone wall, and this was protected by iron bars. There was no bed, no chair, nothing, and if Steven intended to force himself on her, then it would have to be against the wall or on the bare brick floor. Did he want to starve her into submission, seeing her grovel? His behaviour suggested he would… England during the Civil War. 1642/45.Repressed Lady Judith, unhappily married to Parliamentarian supporter Lord Steven Ashley, is surprised when he brings an enemy prisoner to their manor house. The handsome Cavalier is addressed as Captain, but is in fact a woman, Countess Antonia Durward, and she heads a troop of soldiers, male and female.

Eighteen year old Judith hates her middle-aged husband, who thinks it his right to chastise her for the smallest misdemeanour. She and the Countess escape and Judith joins Durward’s she-soldiers, their lives fraught with danger as the war progresses and the Royalists face defeat. They head for France where she helps Isobel Thorley, a wickedly attractive bisexual courtesan, open a high-class brothel.

At last Judith is enjoying a freedom never before experienced, and swears never to return to her husband and the Puritan way of life…