Mannerling, the splendid family estate gambled away by Sir Beverly, remained the passionate desire of his daughters. Beverly himself had died; the eldest daughter, Isabella--having failed in her bid to reclaim their home--was blissfully wed. The mantle of savior then fell to the next eldest daughter, Jessica. How fortunate that the new owner of Mannerling had a marriageable son. In truth, Harry was a brutal lecher, a drunkard, and a wastrel, but Jessica, blinded by determination, vowed to secure a betrothal. She was barely aware of the attentions of handsome, charming Professor Robert Sommerville, whose affection for Jessica was equaled only by the fear that her obsession to secure Mannerling would lead to disaster for all concerned. As scandal and intrigue swirl around her, Jessica must discover where the heart finds true happiness.