Debutante Peyton Fuller's life consists of friends, parties, and waiting for her beau to propose to her. With little knowledge of politics and fighting, her cosseted world changes overnight as soldiers stream into Harrisburg to prepare for a war between the states. As they march past her door, she catches the eye of one soldier who makes her question everything.

Union Colonel Mason Stout gets a second chance to maintain his military career as the training officer for what may be the worst war imaginable. Still recovering from a crippling injury, he meets a local female volunteer who draws him like no other woman has. Unfortunately, he has seen the horrors of war and vows to make no woman his widow.

Will Peyton be able to resist her inconvenient attraction to the handsome colonel for the beau she thought was her true love? As the nation poses on the brink of war, another battle brews between their hearts. Will Peyton and Mason find victory in each other? Can he claim his Civil War bride?