Moscow, 1938. During the run-up to a second world war, young diplomat Mark "Russ" Russell struggles to survive the bitter winter at the U.S. Embassy. When he meets a brilliant, mysterious, and very married woman, Russ hopes for more than the temporary respite she offers. But his self-righteous boss learns of the affair and punishes him with a poor review.

Kuwait City, 1941. Russ’s plans to right his Foreign Service career at his next assignment run afoul of an arrogant superior who refuses to be outdone by his underlings. Further complications arise when a consular officer with her own troubled past transfers to the Legation. Will she make him forget his former lover from the Russian steppe?

Love and loyalty, deceit and danger. The stakes are high as Russ forges a path to his future.