The Master of Aberfeldie, Volume 2 (of 3)

Allan suffers a mysterious accident leaving him believed dead or entombed while Hawke Holcroft's sudden disappearance at sea heightens suspicion. The household relocates so Allan can recover, and stalled engagements, jealous rivalries, and secret histories produce sustained suspense. An oubliette and clandestine schemes test loyalties as mistrust grows between Olive, Eveline, Evan Cameron, and others. Military ties and distant journeys, including episodes set in Egyptian landscapes, broaden the action from drawing-room romance to adventure, and the narrative alternates intimate courtship scenes with revelations that push characters toward reconciliation or rupture.