AustLit

Rohan escapes from imprisonment by her guardians the Brands in Belgium where they tried to force her to marry their eldest son or die so they could gain her inheritance. She reaches England with assistance from a widow, Mrs Trevor. An Indian heiress' maid takes the place of Nerea Bermyngham when she dies in the train on the trip home, hoping to use her money and marry her cousin Lord Charlton and burying the secret of her past. Beatrix meets Colonel Brand in London and narrowly escapes, Lord Charlton saving her and falling in love with her. Nerea plots against their marriage. Engagements, betrayals and dramatic reappearances follow, blackmail and suicide in the wake. (PB)