Lord Mls Vorkosigan, youngest Imperial Auditor to be appointed from the Emperor since the Time of Isolation, has a problem that his new power can’t solve: unrequited like for the beautiful Vor widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson. Ekaterin is normally violently allergic to relationship due to her first publicity. But as Kilometers discovered from his past due career in galactic covert ops, if a frontal assault won’t do, head to subterfuge.

Miles has a cunning plan, which, of course, has to be exercised in between District succession scandals and plans for the Emperor’s wedding. And if no battle strategy survives first connection with the foe, just imagine what all Miles’ friends and relatives can perform to his romantic strategy.