Book Description

The third book concerning the lives of Hartley brothers and their adopted sister, Natalie, now the Duchess of Lonsworth, takes place in 1864. Robin Hartley, the Earl of Manningley falls madly in love with a beautiful young widow, Jonquil Jamison, Duchess of Allerton. Unfortunately Jonquil's marriage, though of only six weeks duration, was so appalling she is terrified to remarry, so although she falls in love with Robin she rebuffs his advances. In the meantime Robin's younger brother, Brian, now a successful artist living in Paris, has fallen hopelessly in love with Miss Jenny Helliwell, and she with him. Jenny, a young lady rescued from dire circumstances by Robin, is secretary to the brothers' grandmother, Lady Pepper. Alas, due to a misunderstanding upon their first meeting, Brian believes Jenny to be Robin's intended so, to Jenny's utter dismay and his eternal regret, does not declare his love. The two men's predicament is not aided by each believing that the other has designs on the lady he loves. But after a spring and summer of torment at balls in London, the races and a church fte at Epsom they all return to their homes in Yorkshire where two startling incidents occur that change their lives forever.