Hareton Hall — Lynne Connolly

Secrets can destroy you -- and the one you love most.

As Richard returns with Rose to her childhood home of Darkwater for two weddings, romance is in the air -- but so is trouble. It begins with Rose's stolen watch. Tensions rise when they learn their old adversaries, the Drurys, have taken a house nearby. A series of attacks on those they love, plus a rise in smuggling activity, only add to the threat of violence.

Then illness strikes at the worst possible time, threatening everyone in the district -- especially the children. Questions abound: Was the infection deliberate? Is someone striking at Richard through Rose, or are their enemies targeting Rose for information she possesses?

Richard calls on his resources, public and private, to counter an enemy that threatens to destroy his beloved Rose. Rose is no helpless victim, however, and refuses to let anyone -- even Richard -- take away her independence. She finds ways to fight that aren't in his armoury. Whether he likes it or not…

Warning: When Richard uses a topaz necklace to give Rose hot shivers, it might give you ideas, so keep a man handy to experiment on. But you can't have Richard.