Since fleeing her abusive husband, changing her name and claiming to be a widow, Lady Dalton has learned that she is not as useless as Lord Dalton declared. Now known as Mrs. Bennett, her deception has allowed her to survive by establishing a school for young ladies which means she must protect her reputation at all costs. Over the past two years she has begun to feel safe from discovery, but she still fears what will happen if her secret is exposed.

Alec Graham is intrigued by his cautious neighbor. Shadows cloud her eyes though she is young, beautiful, and gracious. Gossip says she is the granddaughter of an earl and the widow of an officer who died fighting Napoleon. But why did she come to Halifax where she has no family or friends other than the housekeeper who came with her? Perhaps now that his niece is one of her students he will be able to learn why she is so wary.

What will it take to banish the shadows and lighten her smile?