From the moment she stepped out of the coach into the blinding snowstorm, Lilia Franklin felt a strange chill that was from something more than the icy blasts that whipped at her.

Another might have turned back. But the raven-haired young girl who had been hired as nurse-companion to old Lord Reef had curiosity as well as courage. Besides, there was no alternative. She was a penniless orphan.

Then she met Lord Reef's brother Seaton and nephew Edgar and was more certain than ever that she was in danger. Never had she been made to feel so unwelcome. She could not know then that she was in their way.

For they did not want to wait for old Lord Reef to die. And now they had to plan for Lilia, too. But Lilia was more than they bargained for--much more. And she had a few plans of her own...