With the Star Elite hunting for the house the kidnappers had used to hold their victims captive, the now notorious bargemen are more hostile than ever. The kidnapper's latest victim, Yvette Morwell, is the latest victim the Star Elite have to trace - except for Rupert that is. The hunt for the house is far from easy, though, when the property they suspect the captives are taken to appears to be occupied by someone who isn't who they claim to be. Can Rory prove that the Fake Viscountess is Marcia Littleton? If she isn't the Fake Viscountess, who is she? There is something about the innocence in her eyes, the secrets, that warns Rory that she is scared, but of what? He wants to believe she is innocent, but finds it hard when he captures her creeping about in the gardens and family crypt in the dead of night. Even more worryingly, the bargemen appear to be after her but why? Desperate to avoid being sent to gaol for crimes she didn't commit, Marcia, with the help of her lifelong companion Alwyn, have to find the truth about the strange events at Windlemass Hall themselves, especially when it becomes clear that the Star Elite doesn't believe they are innocent. But how can Marcia tell Rory the truth when she doesn't know what it is? Further, how can she tell him what she does know without him bringing about the destruction of her carefully made plans for her future? She knows he will do the right thing, but in her mind at least that will be the very worst thing that could happen to her. She has to escape ... but does she want to?