Description
American divorcee April Waverly learns she is the heir chosen to inherit Oakton, Sir Drew Ramsey's home farm. Elderly, crippled, sinister Drew promised to repay her for her carer role in his last few years. He loved two things only in this world: his Siamese cat, currently Nala, ancient and sharp-clawed; and Oakton. The Ramseys received Oakton as a reward from the Conqueror through marriage to its heiress, and Drew would do whatever was necessary to keep Oakton in the Ramsey family. He was the last Ramsey, and he was prepared to solve this problem. April agrees to the obligations to inherit Oakton, for in addition to its worth, she loves the farm and Wiltshire. Ben Muir, Drew's unctuous lawyer and heir to the rest of Drew's large fortune, has control of Oakton and her until she actually inherits after Ostara. He wants her to inherit Oakton, for reasons she cannot discern. He knows too much about Oakton and her, and she begins to stand up for herself against him. The Spring equinox festival of the druids is the occasion for her to become Mistress of Oakton. A local sheepherder mentions the curse on the heir of Oakton to her, but laughs it off, as she is not a Ramsey. A bell that summons and repels a spirit monster goes missing, to the frenzy of the Oakton Druid cult. April hears footsteps following her around the Lodge at Oakton and items are displayed for her to find. Sheep are killed by a mysterious predator, and the guard llama is constantly alert. She finds a dead man floating in a bog at Oakton. She is falling in love with the handsome local vet who cares for the farm's animals, and thinks her feelings might be returned. April wants Oakton, not just the land and its value, but the home and future it promises her. Ostara nears, and April must face the forces that want her body and soul, and hope for help from those who stand against the evil that haunts Oakton.
Author's Notes
