Miles Vorkosigan has a problem: unrequited love for the beautiful widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson violently allergic to marriage after her first exposure. If a frontal assault won't do Miles thinks try subterfuge. He has a cunning plan... Lord Mark Vorkosigan Miles' brother also has a problem: his love has just become unrequited again. But he has a cunning plan... Lord Ivan Vorpatril Mile's cousin has a problem: unrequited love in general. But he too has a cunning plan... A complex story as the various members of Miles' family attempt to find their one true love and a measure of destiny. This against a background of domestic political squabbles and an earnest attempt at capitalist enterprise.