Set against the deep, haunting mists of the English fens, here is ashimmering tale of love and betrayal, of ambition and revenge. For Alyne, agolden-haired beauty rescued in infancy from the murky waters of the fens bythe Lord of Ravensley, all that matters is survivial - as mistress of thatgrand estate, married to whichever man bears its illustrious title. So whenshe learns that her betrothed, Oliver Aylsham, is to be supplanted as Lordof Ravensley by his long-departed Uncle Justin, unexpectedly arrived fromIndia, Alyne cruelly deserts Oliver for the coldly dispassionate new heir.Fleeing Ravensley and its bitter memories, Oliver finds solace and sweetcompassion in the arms of Clarissa, and returns with his bride to supervisethe draining of the fens - only to watch helplessly as the fragile landcollapses, sending Justin to a watery grave. Peasant upheavals and thearrival of an unexpected visitor shed light on Junstin's hasty departuretwenty years before and the mystery surrounding Alyne's birth. But notuntil Oliver and Clarissa can triumph over the cunning calculations of Alyne- and her tenacious claim to Ravensley - can the young couple begin to callhappiness their own.