As Eagles Fly

The handsome and aristocratic, thirty-five year old diplomat LordAthelstan knows that he is heading for trouble on his mission to theCaucasus to investigate how long the legendary Shamyl, the Imam ofDaghestan, can hold out against the invading Russians. But littledoes he expect to be faced with another kind of conflict ? with abeautiful young hostage imprisoned in the Imam?s stronghold.Thelovely Natasha is only nineteen and she was seized along with a Royalparty by the Imam?s followers and held to ransom against the releaseof the Imam?s only son by the Russians. Orphaned, she has no hope ofraising a ransom and instead has reluctantly agreed to be given to the Sultan of Turkey as a ?wife? for his vast harem in return for therelease of her nine-year-old brother. The Imam implores LordAthelstan to escort Natasha safely to Constantinople ? a favour hecannot grant lest it anger the Russians and compromise Great Britain.But then he meets her ? undoubtedly the most glorious woman he has ever seen, with fire in her eyes, when he informs her that he cannotagree to Shamyl?s request. Ultimately Natasha gives him no choiceand, when she appears among his party in disguise, Lord Athelstan isfurious.Soon their mutual hatred turns to all-consuming love ? alove surely doomed by Natasha?s pledge to sacrifice herself to theSultan?s harem for the sake of her brother ?