Enjoyed it; it's as much a love story as one of intrigue, spies, diamond smuggling, and murder. The term "oligarch" isn't used here... but assume this shows how such lifestyles evolved; how does a Russian entrepreneur become "prosperous" enough to defect? Theft! Weird to be rooting for Russian characters, and more or less happy with the surprise ending, which brings all the questions together in the last few pages. Nikolai would be happy in Russia with his British love, Vivian, but he knows he can't support her in the lifestyle of wealth with a gambling habit; she has been provided for by her ultra rich British ex-husband who still loves her enough to keep providing valuable gifts she immediately sells. She has refused his request to marry again; and falls in love with Nikolai, after meeting at a sale of a Faberge piece his grandfather created, and permitting him to hold and examine it. The Faberge background of the story is perfect . ( )