A young woman disappears. A husband is suspected of murder. Stirring times for all the neighbourhood. The Steepwood Scandal.

Illegitimate and without dowry, Athene Filmer journeyed from Steepwood to a Season in London. She rejoiced in this chance to improve her life with a rich husband. By all accounts, she should have been satisfied with Lord Kinloch's attentions, for he was the ideal choice.

But the enigmatic stare of Nicholas Cameron had won Athene from the start, as much as she tried to avoid him. Nick was not a man to be ignored, as he saw right through Athene's designs. Would this clever miss choose love over money before the clock struck midnight?