Cornwall, 1801. In the wake of her mother's death, Pandora Woodville is
desperate to escape her domineering father and finally return to
Cornwall. Posing as a widow, she safely makes it across the Atlantic,
bright with the dream of working at her Aunt Harriet's school for young
women. But as Pandora is soon to learn, the school is facing imminent
closure after a series of sinister events threatened its reputation.
Acclaimed chemist Benedict Aubyn has also recently returned to Cornwall,
to take up a new role as Turnpike Trust Surveyor. Pandora's arrival has
been a strange one, so she is grateful when he shows her kindness. After
news of the school's ruin spreads around town, everyone seems to be
after her aunt's estate. Now, Pandora and Aunt Harriet must do
everything in their power to save the school, or risk losing everything.
However, Pandora has another problem. She's falling for Benedict. But
can she trust him, or is he simply looking after his own interests?