Leaving Rose Hill

Abandoned by her feckless father, Harold and her stepmother, Rachel, Sarah Applegate lives with her Aunt Augusta at Rose Hill. She longs for her father to come for her. However,Rachel returns alone, the birth of her child imminent . She reveals that Harold has been mysteriously lost at sea. Their money and all jewels all went overboard with him. Penniless, she stays at Rose Hill until the birth of Sarah’s brother, Robert. With a substantial sum from Sarah’s fortune, Rachel goes to London to find a home for herself and the two children. She doesn’t return.
Sarah’s spirit and wisdom, have been honed by these events, and lead her to the decision not to peruse Rachel nor inquire further into her father’s death. She is glad not to leave Rose Hill. Being with her brother, her aunt and new friends is made even better by having Rachel out of her life.
But is she? Of course, not.
Through the years Rachel’s efforts to take Robert in order to extract money from Sarah play out in Paris, Monaco and even Rose Hill. Can Sarah keep her brother out of Rachel’s clutches, or let go of the thought that Rachel is complicit in her father’s death? Can she overcome the fear Rachel instills in her mind that Captain Pembrook, Sarah’s first love, is not who he claims to be?
Will Sarah ever feel sure enough of Robert’s safety and Pembrook’s love to leave Rose Hill?