<P><B>Best-selling author Stephanie Laurens begins a promising series that blends romance and mystery.</B></P><P>Penelope Ashford Portia Cynster's younger sister has devoted her life to the care of orphans. But lately her charges seem to be disappearing without a trace. Penelope enlists investigator Barnaby Adair to solve the mystery. Adair agrees intrigued by both the case and by Penelope.</P>