Can the Duke of Hawdon save Lady Esther before it's too late?

Lady Esther Bertram must find an escape. Her father is insisting that she marry the old and corpulent Lord Thompson, who is rumored to be a violent man. Turning to the only person she can, Esther seeks out her godmother, the Dowager Agnes Heber.

When the Dowager discovers that the Amos, the Duke of Hawdon is searching for a new housekeeper, she puts Esther forward for the task. Taking on a false name and a new identity, Esther, now Mary Edwards, enters the Duke's household, hoping that he will not discover who she really is.

When things go awry and the truth is out, the Duke must decide what he is to do with the girl. Realizing too late that he cares for her, he tries to hide his feelings. When Esther is captured by her father, Amos must try to save her, wondering all the while if she returns his love.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a short read, stand-alone story with an HEA, so no cliff-hangers.