A Bird In Hand

Blasts of wind and torrents of rain pelted a female figure in the distance. Suddenly - the river bank collapsed - tossing the woman and her horse into icy waters. Lord Randolph Symington threw open his coach door and dove in after her--soon overcome by the churning river - he discovered that only their combined efforts could save them from disaster. The future duke collapsed afterwards and woke in the morning to find himself wrapped in blankets - alone with the mysterious Lady Elizabeth Fosdale in a small country cottage - his wounds tended and clothes drying by the fire. Although he had successfully avoided the marriage marts of the dreaded ton for years - he felt honor bound to propose. It was the only remedy for the scandal of their having spent the night alone together. But this young woman - well past her come-out years and of questionable bloodlines - vehemently refused. Soon she was gone and he was determined to discover why....