Melisande, a girl with actors’ blood in her veins, finds life dreary; her family runs a London inn, “The Rose and Crown.” Then, in November 1849, Rafael le Marre arrives, bringing Mel’s lost cousin Toby with him. Unexpected experiences swirl in Rafael’s wake: Mel meets Catherine Ayre and mischievous Charley the sweeper. Meanwhile, Raf stirs up the trouble that is native to his frank character. Several necessary resolutions must occur before Raf and company set out again for Letzenstein. This is the fourth Book in the Letzenstein Chronicles.

13-year old Matt is spending the holidays at the dilapidated Woodhall mansion where his spirited step-sister Caroline works as cook. In a faded rose garden Matt meets Alix, proud old Madame Ayre's granddaughter, and is introduced to the tension-filled relationship between the embittered mother and her crippled son Theo. Matt must learn to judge character rather than appearances as Theo strives to turn the house into a home for orphans. Alix, through her willful foolishness, puts Theo's life in danger and brings a dramatic confrontation: Christian hope versus fatal self-pride. A timeless book with a fast-paced plot and vivid characters.