October, 1812. Britain and France are still at war when Bow Street Runner and former private investigator Matthew Hawkwood, now of the British Secret Service, joins a colleague in Paris on a special mission to successfully negotiate a peace treaty between France and the allies. Failure would mean prison, torture and a meeting with the guillotine.

It is 1944 and thirteen year-old Tolly Oldknow is sent to spend Christmas with his grandmother, while his mother searches for news of his father in wartime London. In the old house, he becomes a witness to events during the Napoleonic wars and finds himself slowly drawn into participating in the drama. Invisible to most people in the past, he begins to unravel the mystery which has bewildered his family for two centuries. The solution to the puzzle...

"How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness? Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England's beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it's a peaceful life. That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy...

In March 1808 war is spreading through Europe as Napoleon holds Portugal and threatens his old ally, Spain. Vice Admiral Bolitho is ordered once more to the Cape of Good Hope, to establish a permanent naval force there.