His arrogance was insufferable

Eden had never before met anyone as rude as Sterne Parnell. His reaction to her brother's wish to marry his ward was positively violent. How could he believe that gentle, enamored Thomas was after money?

Obviously Sterne did, and when the young lovers ran away, Eden was determined not to let Sterne find them.

The runaways needed clothes and money, and Eden, knowing she was being closely shadowed, led Sterne on a wild-goose chase around England. But he was not put off. In fact, he was amused by the chase and by her - until tragedy struck.