When young British agent John Kirby comes to Russia in 1911 he is there to work and to explore a new and exciting country. He does not expect to fall in love, but an invitation to a ball from the Tsar changes all that and, after an evening of dancing and romance, John and the Tsar's eldest daughter, Olga, are totally captivated by one another.

Soon John is spending more time with Olga and her family, wonderful, long peaceful summers of tennis parties and picnics. But just as love begins to blossom between the pair, a cruel blow is dealt, John is forced to return to England and Olga and her family are caught up in the bitter and bloody war of 1914.

Will John and Olga ever be reunited? Can their love survive the odds? Or will tragedy, pain and longing destroy them both?