Duty and Desire

Grace Daniels, the village of Hartley's resident midwife and herbalist, would like nothing more than to ease the suffering of Jonathan Loring's young son, Peter. But the Blackthorn estate manager, a proud if fallen gentleman, is as prejudiced against her illegitimacy as he is her "witchy" profession. When Peter's physicians say they can do no more for the boy, Jonathan finds himself in the unenviable position of having to turn to the woman whose skills he has scorned. 

Drawn together out of duty, Jonathan and Grace's relationship soon becomes characterised by a not-so-hidden desire. With marriage out of the question, their only option is both shocking and dangerous . . . to become lovers.