The Legend of Lostwithel — Elaine F. Wells

Kathleen O'Flaherty sensed danger and evil as soon as she arrived in Mowbray Hall where she was taking on the post as tutoress to young Nicholaus, heir to the English estate. But these fears were temporarily forgotten when she met Macaulay, Nicholaus's handsome and charming uncle. However, when Macaulay issued strict orders that Kathleen was to guard the boy with "her life" and never leave him alone even for an instant, she felt certain that she should never have left her faraway home in Ireland. The servants took an unnatural interest in the boy--it was as if he were a prisoner in his own home, constantly being watched and locked behind closed doors. What was the family afraid of? Kathleen refused to believe that anyone would harm an innocent child-- until Nicholaus was shot at by an unknown assailant. It was then that she decided to plan their escape, and learned the true meaning of fear when she discovered there was none!