When mining magnate, pioneer photographer and public benefactor, Bernhardt Holtermann died prematurely at the height of his success, the speculation and rumours started. Some who knew Bernhardt closely had guessed the true nature of his relationship with Victoria, his children's beautiful governess. They enjoyed the lavish parties and genteel soirées given by Harriet -- Mrs Holtermann, but some believed they detected an edge of tension under the formal cordiality between herself and Bernhardt. Had she tired of being patient with her husband's attentions to Victoria, or had Victoria tired of waiting for the divorce which would release her lover to become her husband? This is a historical novel based on the life of the successful 19th century miner and businessman, the pioneer photographer, Bernhardt Holtermann. Bernhardt came to Sydney as a young man, to avoid conscription and the restrictive life of Hamburg in the 1850s. Having made his fortune in gold mining at Hill End, Holtermann became famous as one of the most successful businessmen in Sydney during the early 1880s. His tireless drive for building his new country and showing Australia off to the world with magnificent panoramic photographs took him to international trade fairs in Philadelphia and Paris.