It was a man against maid, wide against will a fiery free-for-all, a wonderful match.

Sir D'Arcy Rawnsley was unaccustomed to being challenged - especially by an assertive young miss who raced along country roads alone, rowed herself through dangerous waters and set out on her own to solve a mystery.

At first, he was amused at Venetia Hamilton's spirit, then involved unintentionally when her daring led her into danger, and, finally, exasperated when she persisted in defying him. But what could a man do but keep trying to help her, when she was so winning, and her dreams were so like his own.