In this witty and intricately plotted installment of Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga, Miles Vorkosigan finds himself navigating the dangerous terrain of romance, status, and social expectations as deftly as he once handled military command. Set against a backdrop of political maneuvering and high-society misadventure, the novel blends sharp comedy, heartfelt character work, and the unmistakable complications of trying to do the right thing in a world that rarely makes it easy.