Years ago, Miss Esme Astell fell hopelessly in love with Charles Brittle, an unassuming and highly respectable London bookmaker.

Then he disappeared without a word . . .

The last thing Esme ever dreamed was to meet Charlie again?

In a dark alleyway?

In a drenching rain?

In a chase with the police?

In Scotland.

Can she fall again, this time for the dangerous scoundrel he's become?