War by Diplomacy

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In 1804, as Britain battles Napoleon's France, Captain Sir Richard Giles enjoys a brief respite at Dipton Hall before his next naval mission. Tragedy strikes when he learns of his half-brothers' deaths, leaving him with more problems than inheritance. His wife, Daphne, must help resolve these issues. After introducing her to London, Giles takes her on the maiden voyage of his new frigate, which quickly turns perilous when they encounter a formidable French ship. Tasked with delivering secret treaty terms to St. Petersburg alongside a difficult special envoy, Giles faces challenges, including evading spies and the advances of noblewomen, while his crew dishonors his ship. His interactions with the Russian Navy at Kronstadt prove more fruitful than his social experiences in the capital. After being expelled from St. Petersburg, he assists his friend Captain Bush in defeating two French frigates to secure his return to Daphne. Meanwhile, Daphne, pregnant and left to manage her deceased brother-in-law's affairs, reluctantly navigates the darker aspects of Georgian society. Using her wit, she turns the tables on unscrupulous opponents and manages to profit from her predicament. Back at Dipton Hall, she gives birth, but her recovery is interrupted by a plot to undermine her husband's control of a corrupt borough. Their troubles culminate in Giles's return, where he outsmarts their rival despite his injuries.