Edward Deravenel is the king of his company at last: a man who sought and won a business empire—and the favors of many women.  Now it is 1918, the war is over, an influenza epidemic is sweeping England, and Edward has a family and a business to protect. He must thread his way between his loyal brother Richard and the treacherous middle brother of the family, George. And the politics of inheritance are intense, as different family factions vie for the honor. The choices include a loyal caretaker, a jealous rumormonger, a charming young woman, a sickly boy, and the scion of the family Edward ousted from power years before.