Young Scotswoman marries diplomat fiance in 1903 Manchuria war zone. Disenchanted, she bears son with married Japanese nobleman Count Kentaro. Carves life in Japanese society despite hardships as Westerner and woman.

In 1903, a young Scotswoman goes to join her diplomat fiancé in Manchuria. She marries him, and finds herself in a war zone. Disenchanted with her husband, she falls in love with a married Japanese nobleman, Count Kentaro Kurihama, and bears him a son. She carves out a life for herself in Japanese society, despite the hardships and ostracism she faces as both a Westerner and a woman.—Kathy Li