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

After a humiliating Season, Hester Perceval hid away and concentrated on stimulating her intellect – since her heart was broken! Indeed, Hester was a beautiful genius who cracked codes and solved puzzles, arousing the interest of a pen pal, "Zeno." When she discovered her enigmatic correspondent was Robert, Lord Dungarron – the man who had caused her shame during her Season – she took flight. But Robert found her and convinced Hester to help him uncover a devious plot. And as they toiled over codes and puzzles, they began to discover an overpowering love that defied all reason.