The story begins in London after the outbreak of World War II, where the war is used as a pretext to place Britain's two young princesses, Margaret and Elizabeth, in the heart of Ireland. Indeed, the princesses are sent to neutral Ireland under assumed names for their safety, to remain until things calm down at the dilapidated home of Duke Edendmore William Herbert, accompanied by Cilian Ashe and Strafford. There, the girls meet the difficult housekeeper, Mrs. O'Hatlon, to whom the Duke pays special attention among the other servants, and Billy Dunton and Pike, and many other characters. Their identities are later discovered by Clancy, who relays the news to the Irish Republican Army. Two individuals, Jones and Smith, are then sent to kidnap the girls and burn down the house.