Synopsis

During the course of the German-Russian occupation of Paris in 1814, a young Prussian lieutenant comes to the rescue of a beautiful Parisian woman, Margot Richemonte. As he comes to realize, however, rescuing a damsel in distress is never – ever – a simple matter. In coming to Margot’s aid, the Prussian lieutenant – otherwise known as the redoubtable Hugo von Löwenklau – becomes engaged in a dispute with Margot’s calculating and opportunistic stepbrother, Captain Albin Richemonte. During an altercation in a tavern, Löwenklau – with a few well-placed slaps to the French captain’s face – decisively wins the showdown. Little did Löwenklau know it, but he’d made himself a lifelong enemy. It seems the ruthless captain is determined to marry his stepsister Margot off to his acquaintance – a rich baron – in an effort to extricate himself from mounting gambling debts. Deep in debt to the nefarious French nobleman, Baron de Reillac, Richemonte agrees to the baron’s plan. First, Reillac will press Margot’s widowed mother into repaying the debts that Albin has amassed, her only option to repay the debt, or wind up in debtor’s prison – that is, unless she would agree to have Margot marry him. Once Madame Richemonte agrees to the union, the “merciful” baron would then cancel Albin’s debts. Much to his horror, Richemonte learns that his stepsister has fallen in love with Löwenklau, and is engaged to the Prussian lieutenant – who, after a successful night of gambling, has accumulated the funds necessary to pay off Madame Richemonte’s inherited debts. After their plans derail, Richemonte and Reillac aren’t about to let Hugo whisk the lovely mademoiselle away without a fight. They will stop at nothing to rid themselves of the young officer, first concocting a plot to ambush and murder the Prussian in the street. After it fails, they up the ante by resorting to using firearms. Wounded from the earlier attempt on his life, Löwenklau narrowly escapes. Undeterred, Richemonte and the baron come up with another daring plot, this time putting Löwenklau into contention with none other than the infamous Napoleon Bonaparte. Having to deal with the relentless attacks of the captain and baron – and pursued by Bonaparte – Löwenklau is forced to rely on his wits to stay alive – and keep Margot out of the clutches of the two villains. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, Hugo struggles to stay ahead of his pursuers while maintaining his honor and integrity in what becomes a relentless, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. Will Hugo find the strength – and resourcefulness – he needs to emerge victorious over the schemes of all his would-be executioners – or will evil win the day? You’ll have to read the captivating, action-packed tale of The Prussian Lieutenant from cover to cover to find out!