Marli is staying with her dad in Melbourne, and missing her friends.
Then she discovers a mystery--a crumbling, abandoned mansion is to be
returned to her family after 90 years. Marli sneaks into the locked
garden to explore, and meets Luca, a boy who has his own connection to
Riversleigh. A peacock hatbox, a box camera and a key on a velvet ribbon
provide clues to what happened long ago. In 1922, Violet is 15. Her life
is one of privilege, with boating parties, picnics and extravagant
balls. An army of servants looks after the family, including new
chauffeur Nikolai Petrovich, a young Russian émigré. Over one summer,
Violet must decide what is important to her. Who will her sister choose
to marry? What will Violet learn about Melbourne's slums as she defies
her father's orders to help a friend? And what breathtaking secret is
Nikolai hiding? Violet is determined to control her future. But what
will be the price of her rebellion?