Book description
It is just before the outbreak of World War I and Britain must enlist
the aide of Russia. Czar Nicholas's nephew is to visit London for secret
naval talks with Lord Walden, who has lived in Russia and has a Russian
wife, Lydia. But there are other people who are interested in the
arrival of Prince Alexei: the Waldens' only daughter, Charlotte -
willful, idealistic, and with an awakening social conscience; Basil
Thompson, head of the Special Branch; and, above all, Feliks
Kschessinky, the ruthless Russian anarchist. No one could have foretold
that Lydia should recognize Feliks, or that she might put her own
daughter's life at risk for his sake. As the secret negotiations
progress, the destinies of these characters become ineluctably enmeshed.
And as Europe prepares for the catastrophe of war, the final private
tragedy which will shatter the complacency of the Waldens is acted out.
