To protect her destitute, just-widowed, pregnant sister and nine-year-old niece, Roslyn Clary must appeal to the new lord of the manor, Mark St. John. He is generous with money, time, and attention, though he holds the title only loosely, hoping her sister will deliver a boy child. Nevertheless, Roslyn, who has vowed never to marry, is suspicious of Mark. Strongly attracted to Roslyn, Mark conveys her and her sister and niece to the safety of his mother's house in London. He desperately wants to court Roslyn but must first find out who murdered his brother, and why. Both he and Roslyn could be murder suspects, yet both are also potential victims if the murderer is not found soon.