"[A] roistering Regency romance of mystery and suspense" set in a haunted country estate . . ." Very good Veryan. Jollity, junkets, and a juicy mystery" ( Kirkus Reviews ). Wounded, Captain Jack Vespa returns home to heal after serving in the battles against Napoleon. But London is just too hectic, with his society-minded mother hovering and the demands of the social season looming. Jack heads to his inherited country house of Alabaster Royal. It promises to be deserted and a little run-down, but the prospect of some peace and quiet spurs him on. But when he arrives at the estate, the presence of a mysterious and beautiful young woman marks an end to Jack's plans for rest and relaxation. Miss Consuela Jones is the granddaughter of an Italian duchess and the daughter of an English artist who died on the grounds of the estate. Consuela thinks that her father was murdered and wants Jack to help her find out why . . . This delightful Regency novel, mixing equal parts suspense and romance, is the latest from Patricia Veryan, "the reigning queen of period romance" ( Romantic Times ) "Another exciting, humorous, romantic adventure by the always reliable Veryan." — Library Journal