In the third book of the Hot Winter Sun Series, Carey Westbrook is living a somewhat conventional life at Whitecliffe Hall, where he resides with his widowed half-sister, Audrina. One day, she compels him to employ a new maid, who appears at the home one cold November day, in desperate need of work. Carey readily agrees, giving little thought to the matter, but after coming face-to-face with Noelle, he realizes at once that this mysterious housemaid is not at all what she seems.

Aware that a Jacobite uprising is underway, Carey is determined to discover Noelle's true identity, fearful that she may be a spy for those seeking to unseat England's queen and restore the house of Stuart. But as Carey slowly unravels the riddle that is Noelle's life-and falls in love with her in the process-he realizes she is not a criminal, nor is she involved in any political treachery. Rather, she has run from a past so frightening that it moves her to a place of mute terror when he relentlessly questions her one day.

Deciding he must solve the mystery on his own or not at all, he uses every method available to reach the truth before some evil hand from the past reaches out to snatch her from his life. Without warning, Carey finds himself racing against time to uncover the myriad secrets buried at Noelle's former home. Secrets that could destroy his chance for a future with this enigmatic woman who loves him unswervingly, and whose love he refuses to live without.