Part 4 of a series, this novel takes place in the early 1800's, in England and France. It is about Nicholas de Bresancourt, a French duke with no lands or estate of his own.

In this installment, Nicky is an aide to General Wellington at the battle of Waterloo. The rest of the family is out of the way and practically frantic with worry. After days of no word from Nicky, Francis, the family patriarch, and Jack, a teenage horse groomer, start a search. They are subjected to blood, and death, on a mind-boggling scale, on the battlefield and in the "hospitals." Nicky is found, barely alive, and is brought back to his family's estate in England, where he eventually recovers. The family is growing, and everyone is happy. Life is good.

Meantime, Bernheim, the family nemesis, who was killed in a previous novel, is not exactly dead. He is the sort of person who sets new records for being cruel and sadistic (and corrupt). He is laying low, watching the family for a long time. He makes his move, having several members of the family kidnapped, and taken to an isolated barn, where there is a cage full of hungry lions. This time, Bernheim intends to get all of Nicky's and Francis' family fortunes. Are they rescued? Who survives at the end?

Just like the rest of the series, this is a first-rate piece of writing. It is well done from start to finish, and will lead to several late nights, unable to put it down. This is very much worth reading. ( )