Paris is in the hands of Citizen Communards who are fighting a civil war with the rest of France. Because of pressure from Sir Richard Lazenby who has a large holding of Onedin Line Steamship shares, the cash strapped James is pressured to go to Versailles to deliver a secret letter. Nevertheless, James insists on going to Paris to collect an old debt owing from before the war and lands up in jail under threat of execution.

Elizabeth and Albert insist on travelling with James on the voyage, for the sake of their marriage?