The vote in the House of Lords as to who should inherit the Barrington family fortune has ended in a tie, and the Lord Chancellor's deciding vote will cast a long shadow over the lives of Harry Clifton and Giles Barrington. Harry returns briefly to America to publicise his latest novel, while his beloved Emma goes in search of a girl to adopt, providing a sister for Sebastian and completing their family. Meanwhile, Giles falls in love with the scheming Lady Virginia, which could prove to be his undoing. And as Sebastian grows and starts to make his way in the world, he gets himself into what could be serious trouble..."