Awakening life and love... On the sudden death of her oppressive father in a duel, the cool and distant Lady Hera Severne finds herself floundering in her new freedom, and instantly attracted to sardonic doctor, Justin Rivers. Determined to change her life, she travels incognito to Lincolnshire, to take up a post as companion to Lady Astley and learn about life. But nothing is as she imagined it. Her cover is useless against Dr Rivers, whose family lives in the nearby village. Lady Astley appears to have little need of a companion. Rather she wants a carer for her husband's strange but amiable adult ward. Noises in the night, mystery, suspicion, and locked doors eventually force her to flee with Justin's help - and her charge. Inevitable scandal follows them to Brussels, where Justin's duty lies. But Justin, tortured by past failures and growing passion for the unworldly Hera, knows he cannot offer marriage to one so immeasurably above him in rank and fortune. But can he resist Hera, who has other ideas and the courage to follow them through? The Duel Entangled Captured Deserted Beloved