Cassandra Graves returns to Winwood Cottage hoping to find a few weeks solace in her painting and the sea. Instead an impulsive walk on the beach results in the discovery of two Russian scientists on the run. From the moment she meets Nikolai and dark-eyed Seriozha, Cassandra's safe, secure existence is challenged and changed, along with her perception of what love should be. This new extended version of Keddington's classic novel includes the bonus story, "Sergei's First Christmas."