After twelve years within the confines of a Belgian convent, Vere Rowland returns to England--to the magnificent Halbertson estate where her mother is housekeeper. On the return trip Vere meets darkly handsome Laurence Braeknell, it was as pleasant as unexpected. It transpired that Laurence lived within a short distance of the Great Gatehouse, it was a wonderful and strange coincidence. But Vere's hopes of future meetings are clouded by her mother's concern and the distress of the Halbertson household. Why should her love for Laurence stir up such a whirlwind of trouble? And what is the secret of the deep mystery buried in the Halbertson history--a history of which no one dares speak...? It led to some troublesome questions. Before the answers to these questions were known, there was much to be borne and much to be suffered - but then, life is never easy when you're in love.