Lady Timandra Lotterby has traveled with her dear friend Eliza Tilbury and Eliza's siblings to Eliza's great uncle's estate in the wilds of Northumberland, England. Timandra is accompanying her friend to lend support to Eliza after the death of Eliza's father and the uprooting of Eliza and her siblings. Their seemingly inauspicious arrival as the sun is setting has them all on edge as they stare in wonder at the rambling Perfidious Brambles. Great Uncle Percival Seldon at first seems to be a fearful curmudgeon, but under the influence of Timandra and Seldon's grandson, Gavin Merritt, he mellows. But ghosts and murder attempts are threatening the peace. As Timandra tries to solve the mysteries, she finds herself falling in love with the handsome Gavin Merritt. But can she win his love, or has he already given his heart to Eliza?