Nora; vol. 2 [of 3]

Nora is left struggling with the aftermath of a painful encounter with Henry Devereux, who has abruptly departed for London. Their uneasy connection has been complicated by a startling discovery: they are related, though an old feud between their families makes reconciliation far from simple. Nora had secretly hoped that meeting a kinsman might heal the divisions of the past, but Henry feels deceived and refuses to set aside his resentment.

While Nora sinks into troubled reflection, practical concerns draw her back into the world. Her guardian has placed the purchase of a country property in the hands of Mr. Powderham, the county’s formidable attorney, whose knowledge of local affairs gives him influence over nearly everyone. As he arrives to learn Nora’s intentions, questions of independence, inheritance, loyalty, and family feeling begin to press upon her. Against the backdrop of a fashionable spa and watchful acquaintances eager to detect a romance, Nora must navigate both her complicated emotions and the consequences of her concealed identity.