Miss Margaret Dornton is a naive, idealist whose imagination has been fired by tales of courage, great deeds, and heroism. Her desire to emulate the courage of her heros leads her into several very ill-considered actions which have serious repercussions for those around her, including her twin elder sisters, and her cousin Allan.

Major Lord Evelyn Dade was the sole survivor of his regiment at Waterloo. He is a broken man obsessed with death and guilt.

These two people would appear to be complete opposites, but there is more beneath the surface. Margaret Dornton is also acquainted with tragedy, and has had her own struggle with guilt. While the attraction between this pair is immediate, it does not lead immediately to commitment. Nevertheless as the story progresses there is growth in both Margaret and Evelyn. She looses her dewy-eyed romance with heroism as she comes to grips with the cost paid by the hero who survives. Evelyn begins to heal as Margaret's wisdom and caring draw him out into the light.

I liked this book. The similarities which draw Margaret and Evelyn to one another are believable. Elisabeth Fairchild is an author with considerable insight into people, especially men. For example, there is a months-long silence between the couple. It's the kind of thing that occurs between lovers which drives women absolutely crazy with its incomprehensibility. --This portion of the story is told from Evelyn's perspective. Another is the way in which Evelyn acts upon Margaret’s encouragement for him to talk to someone about his horrific experiences. Normally, the hero would unburden himself to the heroine. Neither Margaret, nor any woman, is first to receive Evelyn’s confidences. It is threads and touches of this sort that make Fairchild's novels rise to the upper rank of the Regency genre. ( )