Tom Madison has it all - aristocratic family name, established law practice, and political status - but he hadn't counted on falling in love with the beautiful Creole, Sarah Royster. Four good friends, Nathan Summerville, John Thompson, Ahab McGee, and Thorn McAllister, are the most eligible bachelors of Wilmington's 1860 social season. Educated in the best universities, tailored to perfection, and wealthy enough to support a family, the "Fabulous Four," as they were nicknamed by the single women, are having the time of their lives. But the hands of fate are soon to change the lives of all Southerners, especially the lives of these four men for South Carolina is about to fire the opening shot of The Civil War...