A young woman’s impulsive escape from her mundane life leads to a high-stakes encounter with a monarch that threatens her safety and her heart. Tona Felton, a London typist, seeks excitement through travel, only to find herself stranded and penniless in the Balkans. A mysterious stranger provides assistance and romance, but his sudden disappearance after a single night leaves Tona vulnerable. The narrative follows her as she navigates a foreign political landscape, discovering her lover’s true identity while facing the looming threat of war.

Readers often identify this work as a quintessential example of mid-twentieth-century romantic fiction. Discussion frequently centers on the rapid escalation of the plot and the dramatic shift from a mundane setting to a high-stakes royal environment. Critics note the author's ability to maintain a consistent tone of escapism throughout the narrative. Many readers highlight the focus on the protagonist's emotional evolution as she confronts the complexities of her situation. The book remains a point of interest for those seeking traditional romantic structures combined with historical adventure elements.