London, 1913. Alice Fry, the independent-minded daughter of a radical publisher, is keen to test the boundaries of what is possible in work and love. Falling for Edward Cobb, the eligible son of a baronet, she goes against her political views and accepts his proposal in marriage. But disturbing changes in her circumstance soon force her to accept Baron von Rettenberg's invitation to go to Russia and take charge of his children. Desperate, Alice concludes that exile is preferable to shame and, as a result, finds herself in the midst of two of the great cataclysms of the 20th century - the Great War and the Russian Revolution. [Edit review] [Delete review]