During the start of the Victorian Era in 1837, this engaging novel follows Noah Collins, a black Baron who serves at the young Queen of England's court. More than just an outspoken and egalitarian lord-in-waiting, he is the queen's closest and dearest friend. Through his personal diaries and dialogue, the story takes an inside look into an alternative history of the life of Queen Victoria.The life of a 17-year-old young black boy poses its own obvious troubles in the 19th century as various people at court are eager to find a reason to throw young Noah out. During the early years of Queen Victoria's reign, she is bombarded with domineering men eager to match her with a husband, however, in this alternate history, she doesn't marry Prince Albert. Instead, she's persuaded by Noah to marry the mixed Duke, Nicholas Harings.