Midsummer Masque — Coral Hoyle

Nothing was going as Julia wished

The daughter of a bishop, Julia Witton had some-how reached the grand age of four-and-twenty unmarried. So her parents had arranged for her to wed the odious Mr. Oglesby. Julia's efforts to escape this fate resulted only in her eye being blackened, struck by a mysterious pouch thrown from a passing coach--an event that strangely coincided with the arrival of the foppish Lord Rossiter.

He was visiting the bishop's country home ostensibly to pursue his passion for flowers. But it soon became apparent to Julia that this devilish peer had not nearly such sweet-scented purposes....

Hero: Thomas John Brainard, Lord Rossiter
Heroine: Julia Witton