An Ardent Friendship Miss Timothia Dulverton had just finished mourning her dear departed father when she received a most unexpected proposal from her cousin, Mr. Leo Wetheral. Marriage? To Leo? Didn't they know each other too well for that? But Leo had a bargain for Timma. Since Dulverton House had been left to the male heir, Timma had nowhere to go. And Leo had Blentisham to run all by himself. Why not combine their resources and help each other out? But how could Timma say yes when she had always wanted to marry for love? An Innocent Miss When the debauched Marquis of Sywell won Steepwood Abbey years ago at cards, it led to the death of the then Earl of Yardley. Now he's caused scandal again by marrying a girl out of his class -- and young enough to be his granddaughter! After being married only a short time, the Marchioness has disappeared, leaving no trace of her whereabouts. There is every expectation that yet more scandals will emerge, though no one yet knows just how shocking they will be...