Lady in Waiting

London society wants nothing to do with Clara Mayfield. Her sister's scandalous runaway marriage to a tradesman has ruined Clara's own chances of an advantageous union. In an effort to reestablish the family in society, Clara's parents arrange to marry her off to the abusive but nevertheless socially acceptable Baron Rutherford. On the eve of the wedding, a desperate Clara flees with the help of her maid, taking up a position as a servant at an unknown gentleman's country estate. William Halstead has unexpectedly inherited the Earldom of Ashworth after the tragic deaths of his father, elder brother, and brother-in-law. Grief stricken and suffering from trauma after the carriage accident that killed his family, William retreats to his country home, where he becomes increasingly drawn to a pretty new maidservant, never guessing her true identity as the runaway Mayfield heiress.