Ever since her mother died Martha Mary had had to take over the running of her home a sprawling mansion called The Habitation. She did everything she could to make ends meet but could not understand why they were in such financial straits - especially as when her mother was alive they had several profitable businesses. She hoped that her father's frequent visits to Great-Uncle James would finally come good when he died and they could sell his house to alleviate their great need of money._x000D_But when her father died suddenly his last words to her were to go to Great-Uncle James' house and deliver a message. That journey was to change Martha Mary's feelings for the men in her life and brought home to her the huge burden she now carried on her young shoulders. . .