A Logical Lady

the long version

Miss Elizabeth Carstairs, in the ordinary way of things, was a level-headed young lady, not given to flights of romantic foolishness. But when Mr. Frederick Ashfield arrived at Halliford Castle, after two years on the Continent, Lizzie's heart started a most alarming flutter that showed no signs of abating. What had been a schoolgirl's companionable liking had turned into something quite, quite different... But there was no time to ponder this shocking development, for things were in a dreadful state. Frederick had come straight from the Grange, his ancestral home, where he had visited -- and quarreled with -- his cousin, Viscount St. Vincent. And shortly after Frederick's abrupt departure, the Viscount had been discovered stabbed to death. Frederick, having inherited the title, repaired to the Grange with Lizzie and the Duke and Duchess of Halliford. At the scene of the heinous crime, Lizzie provoked Frederick's lazy smile -- and something more -- as the young beauty's endeavors revealed an abundance of suspects, but a dismaying dearth of clues. Then Frederick suffered a near fatal "accident," and it was obvious what had to be done. To clear his name, Frederick must risk his very life -- and Lizzie's dearest hopes -- to trap a killer