A magnificient love story unfolds against a backdrop of exotic splendor and stirring deeds as young Englishwoman Laura Hewitt journeys to the East to the fabled fiefdom of the Zemindar, Guardian of the Earth. He is Oliver Erskine, herditary ruler of his private kingdom, commander of his own native army - and brother of the man she loves. Subject of Britain's Queen, but also a son of India, he walks the tightrope between treason to the Crown and betrayal of his own beloved land, A world both beautiful and dangerous, lit with splendor and torn by dispair. Challenged by Erskine to plumb to India's intermost secrets, Laura's quest puts her in thrall to Zemindar himself, arrogant and demanding, lustful and compassionate, tender and persuasive. He infuriates her, invades her soul-and claims her as his own, forcing her to confront her own divided loyalties, her own mutinous heart.
