Upon the accidental death of Inda Jackson’s parents, she moves from Charleston to Savannah to live under the protective wing of her grandmother, Lydia, and her circle of steel magnolias. Inda is raised in a genteel world of manners and morals where she and her best friend, Jordan, constantly read, borrowing books from each other instead of clothes. Before leaving for Oxford University, Inda’s world is upended again with the death of Lydia. At the reading of Lydia’s will, Inda is given a safety deposit key. Searching the deposit box, she discovers tear-stained love letters from a Prince Alexander and a faded photo of a dashing young man. Was this a secret love affair, and who was Prince Alexander? Nobody in Savannah could answer those questions. And could that dazzling gold and gem encrusted ring that she never removed be connected? Oxford promises an exciting new beginning. In her third year she meets grad student, Philip, who is of English and Persian decent. He tells Inda of his ancient history and the summers he had spent with the desert Bedouins. For Inda the planets have stopped spinning, but Philip only considers her a good friend. After rescuing Inda from an attack by a spurned suitor, Ari, Philip realizes this deep friendship has blossomed into love. At the invitation of Philip’s sister, a director of the Middle Eastern Department at the British Museum, India joins their expedition to Iran. While on a shopping trip to the bazaar, she is kidnapped. Ari has turned up again and plans to take Inda out of Iran to his home country, Syria. But Philip, armored with his many years of experience living with the Bedouins, rescues her in a daring raid at an oasis. After a deadly fight, Ari escapes across the desert. Returning to England the mystery of the love letters is unraveled. And through Philip and Inda, this unrequited circle of love is connected and completed. A long awaited destiny has been fulfilled.