"London 1899: Commander Thomas Pitt is summoned to Buckingham Palace on a secret mission. In the twighlight of her years, Queen Victoria is all too aware that the Prince of Wales will soon inherit her empire and must be beyond reproach. She tells Pitt she tasked her confidante, John Halberd, with investigating the Prince's friends, specifically Alan Kendrick, a wealthy playboy and betting man, but before he could report back, Halberd was found dead in a rowing boat on the Serpentine. The death has been ruled an unfortunate accident and the investigation closed, but the Queen is not convinced and asks Pitt to find the truth. Forced to act alone, Pitt finds himself embroiled in a plot that threatens not only the reputation of men, but also the safety of the Empire..."