When Nora Malone first sees the Manoir at Lapantelle, recently bequeathed to her, she is still recovering from the death of her adored father, Paddy. A successful racehorse-trainer in Ireland, he had brought her up single-handedly since her French mother abandoned them both, and he was the only man in Nora's life -w ith the possible exception of the stud's manager, Liam. But the Manoir has a unique charm and an intriguing history, and Nora is soon caught up in her new French milieu - particularly when she meets her American neighbours, a mother and son whose lives are soon entangled with her own. Gradually, she breaks free of Paddy's spell and embraces her independence - though at heart she knows Marchmount will always be her home.