In 1814, Major Evan Caldwell, half- brother to the Marquess of Thornbourgh, and his friend and associate, Captain Robert Roberts, are attached to the office of the home secretary. They are trying to break up a spy ring that is attempting to restore Napoleon as emperor of France. Evan, meanwhile, is under orders from his brother to marry in order to produce a male heir for the family, although he is reluctant to fulfill that duty and give up the career he loves in order to take his place among the nobility. Penelope Branston, a young widow of the Peninsular War, has no thoughts of remarrying...