Lady Sarah Alder, the Dowager Duchess of Hillburton, is lonely, bored and tired of wearing black after her husband's death. She longs for yellow, green and blue dresses to lift her spirits and cover her shyness. She also longs for a man to love and excitement in her life. She attends a ball, but is too shy to engage the men who show interest. Days later, history professor Jacob Wellington writes to her and begs her indulgence. He saw her at the ball, but was too shy to ask for a dance. She understands that. They agree to meet, and her quest for love begins. A night at the theatre, a visit to the museum where he works, mysterious artifacts, a trip to Paris, intrigue, mystery, danger, and she returns home unsure of their connection. But adventure has hooked her, and she is drawn into a fantastic quest, even greater than the one for love