Nicola Marter keeps her gift - she sometimes sees images of those who have owned an ojbect before when she touches it - a secret from most people. But when a woman offers Sebastian, Nicola's boss and an important dealer of Russian art, a small wooden carving for sale, claiming it belonged to Russias Empress Catherine, its a problem. Sebastian believes that the plain carving is worthless, but Nicolas held it, and she knows the woman is telling the truth, and is in desperate need of the money the sale of the heirloom could bring. Compelled to help, Nicola turns to Rob, a man from her past. Together, they unearth a tale of love and sacrifice, of courage and redemptionan old story that seems personal and small, perhaps, against the greater backdrops of the Jacobite and Russian courts, but one that will forever change their lives.