After the death of her parents during a cholera epidemic, lovely Beatrice Sinclair is forced to fend for herself in an uncaring world. Although Beatrice receives an offer of married from a widowed minister in her village of Kilbridden, she refuses to marry a man she doesn't love. Beatrice's pride costs her dearly, as she struggles to stave off starvation. Desperate, Beatrice seeks employment as a tavern wench and is refused employment due to her inexperience. Beatrice is referred to Castle Crannoch, a dark and forbidding castle in the area. Although Beatrice has heard wild rumors of the castle and its inhabitants, her poverty forces her to travel to the castle to seek employment. On a dark and stormy night Beatrice ventures on foot to the castle and is nearly run down by a carriage. When the carriage stops to offer her a ride to the castle, Beatrice receives her first glimpse of the gorgeous Devlen Gordon, the cousin of the Duke of Brechin. Immediately, Beatrice is attracted to the roguish Devlen, who escorts her to his cousin's home. Upon arriving at the castle, Beatrice is shocked to find that the owner of the castle, the Duke of Brechin, is a seven year old boy named Robert. After the death of his parents in a tragic carriage accident, Robert inherited the title. When Beatrice meets Devlen's father, Cameron, who is wheelchair-bound, she is shocked when he offers her the position of governess. Without any alternatives, Beatrice accepts the offer and begins the task of transforming the spoiled and rude Robert into a polite and loving child. Beatrice soons discovers that all is not what it seems at Castle Crannoch. First of all, young Robert is plagued by terrible nightmares and feels that someone is out to kill him. Devlen informs Beatrice that his cousin has summoned him on several occasions to the castle after he feared attempts were made on his life. Furthermore, Beatrice senses that Cameron has seductive designs on her. However, Devlen's handsome looks and flirtatious nature appeals to Beatrice on a level she cannot comprehend. Although inexperienced in love and romance, Beatrice feels wanton and sexual whenever she is around Devlen. Devlen feels a powerful attraction to Beatrice as well, and tries to shield the governess from his rakish ways. Devlen is convinced that his father plans to seduce Beatrice and he tries to warn her against his father. Further, Devlen suspects that his father may be responsible for the threats against Robert. When Robert's life is again threatened, Devlen transports his cousin and Beatrice away from the castle where romance, passion and danger looms.
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The review of this Book prepared by Sandra Calhoune