When Laura Ansell arrives in Peking in 1899 as a young bride tension is already building at the British Legation with rumours of unrest among the local Chinese population. As the months pass and summer temperatures rise, the Boxer rebels lay siege to the Legation with bitter fighting. But inside the barricades Laura is also under siege from dashing Russian Prince Sergei who is determined to seduce her despite her married status. Her husband's mysterious manservant Yang sees all, but whose side is he on?