There are two very special 'egg timers' in the world, both capable of transporting their handlers to any specific time they wish to visit... or that the timer wishes them to visit. Down-and-out suicidal loner Arthur Benjamin discovers one of these timers and unwittingly transports Tatiana Nicolaivna, a Grand Duchess of 1918 Imperial Russia confined to the Ipatiev House with her family, to his sanctuary by the sea in present-day South Africa. Both equally alarmed, confused and traumatised by the event, the two are shocked to learn that this is not the first time in history that this kind of occurrence has been encountered. On a mission to uncover the truth behind certain historical events, Arthur and Tatiana begin to experience the timer's power as they discover what isn't recorded in today's history books. But they aren't the only ones with a mysterious egg timer - the unscrupulous Winston Peabody, a master jewel thief from 1912, has stolen the other timer and won't stop until Tatiana tells him where the most valuable of the Fabergé eggs is hidden... Through their experiences, Arthur regains his courage, humour and unselfishness while Tatiana gains the independence and freedom she could never have in her Imperial confinement. But the rules dictate that Tatiana must fulfil her destiny and return to the dreaded Ipatiev House. As the bond between them grows, Arthur realises that he cannot leave her to face that fate alone.