A temporary peace has been negotiated in this fifth Richard Delancey novel. The envoys will meet at Amiens. During this precarious cease-fire, Delancey seems hell-bent on jeopardizing his career by falling in love with a spirited Drury Lane actress and engaging in a yacht race with members of the opposition party. But Delancey is too valuable a tactician to release, and he is called into action once more as Britain prepares to face the threat of a new French assault. There are rumors Napoleon's navy is equipped with fabulous new weapons, including vessels driven by steam-engines, explosive devises, and a secret weapon called Nautilus that can travel underwater to torpedo unwary ships.