The Game Of Chance

November 16, 1794.

The snowflakes fell all around me as I exited the cab, the footman taking my hand as he guided me down the steps. Tall building cast dark shadows over me, made with dull, grey stones and bricks, but with glimpses of bright colours in darkened corners. It was beautiful, and little bubbles of excitement began to form in my stomach, while my sisters quietly chatted to each other, leaving me alone as I took in my new surroundings. This was it. This was Moscow, the capital city of Russia.

***

Elizabeth Osgood - an unmarried, educated and intelligent young woman from London - is obliged to join her father, a wealthy businessman, on his journey to Moscow while he runs an errand for the British government. For the duration of their visit, they stay at the estate of Sir Eduard Arvoskaya, a consort of Empress Yekaterina, who permits them to stay at his home.

At first, it's simply a case of sending messages for her father and studying the country's language and culture in her free time, but she soon finds herself probing deep into a mystery concerning Viktor Braginsky, the mute servant working for Arvoskaya. But she doesn't realise the whole thing - the mystery - is all a game. A game that no one can win. And the price of loosing is death.