Emperor Gregor of the Vor Empire is approaching his marriage and - together with biogenetics, lack of money and incompatible sexual mores - love is in the air. Miles Vorkosigan is head-over-heels in love with Ekaterin Vorsoisson, whose first marriage left her violently allergic; Lord Mark Vorkosigan has a cunning plan to solve his own unrequited longing; and Lord Ivan Vorpatril just wants someone to love.
Lois McMaster Bujold mixes her much-loved space adventures with sexual comedy in this, the most polished of all the Miles Vorkosigan novels.