Regency Romance. The story takes place during the Regency period in a sleepy village of Guisborough in northern England. Sarah is a preacher's daughter who helps her father around the parish. Charles is the newly-ennobled Viscount Doddridge, arriving to see his lands for the first time. Penelope is the spoiled daughter of the Haute Ton. John Wharton, the Corinthian cum inventor shows up in the nick of time to help his friend solve the mystery lurking in the Priory. All four converge to thwart plans to do Sarah's father out of his inheritance. Priory ruins, smuggling, and comradery converge to help the path of true love.