Set in the quiet countryside in post war Britain. Major Rupert Stonely, returned home to claim his rightful inheritance. His recently deceased mother, the Duchess had other ideas, she had taken a lover.
With apparent prior knowledge of her sons rather dubious career in the army, she made a rather odd stipulation in her last will and testament.
For the major to inherit outright he would have to provide an heir to the estate, a problem which would seem insurmountable due to a past military incident involving his brigadier, the brigadiers wife and the point of a ceremonial sword.
If an heir apparent failed to appear, an almost certainty, then the whole estate would pass on to Reginald Smallpott, his mothers consort, lover and hotel owner.