A haunting historical mystery. Following the sudden and suspicious deaths of both his father and grandfather, James Elliot is the unwilling successor to the title of Lord Lincoln, and the disturbing legacy it carries with it. Whispers of murder, madness and greed hang in the stultifying air of Rowston House, and James will do anything to avoid facing his fate.Elinor Montague has been in love with James since they were both children. She was there as he mourned his father and grandfather, and if he occasionally acted a little strangely, she was prepared to ignore it. Following an indiscretion between the two at a masked ball, James high-tails it to Europe, staying away for two years. When Lord Lincoln tries to woo the newly wealthy Ellie on his return, a string of unsettling and strange events is set in motion. While she tries to remain aloof, Ellie finds herself drawn to James once more, but refuses to give in until she finds out what he's hiding, and solves the mystery of his unwelcome inheritance.