From the backk cover: Left destitute by her parens' death, young Marianne Fleury wed Axel Brandson, heir to the Sussex estate of Haraldsdyke. It was no love match,for Marianne needed to support her brother, and Axel needed an English wife to satisfy his father's will. Maryainne found her husband cold and aloof and the bleak landscape of Haraldsdyke offered her little comfort. Even as her new relatives eyed her with suspicion, horror was growing in Marianne's heart. For Axel's fath was believed to have been murdered by Rodric. the half-brother who was killed in an accident soon after. Now stange occurences, strange appearances were plaguing Haraldsdyke. Was Rodric still alive? And was he stalking his next victim?